The U.S. and Russia on Tuesday took steps to enhance diplomatic ties after Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with high officers from Moscow in a transfer to search out an finish to the struggle in Ukraine.
Talking to reporters following the 4.5-hour assembly held in Saudi Arabia between Rubio and his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, the secretary of state mentioned the primary transfer could be in reestablishing the “performance of our respective missions in Washington and in Moscow.”
“For us to have the ability to proceed to maneuver down this highway, we have to have diplomatic services which are working and functioning usually,” Rubio mentioned.
US, RUSSIAN OFFICIALS PROPOSE PEACE PLAN, LAY ‘GROUNDWORK FOR COOPERATION’ IN RIYADH
Rubio meets with Russian officers in Saudi Arabia in quest of an finish to the struggle in Ukraine. (Related Press)
Rubio mentioned there have been three further steps the U.S. deliberate to pursue, which included establishing a “high-level workforce” to assist negotiate the top of the struggle in Ukraine – although he didn’t point out if this could be headed by the particular envoy to Ukraine and Russia, retired Lt. Basic Keith Kellogg.
The Trump administration may even be seeking to broaden geopolitical and financial relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin.
Rubio didn’t go into element on how or when the U.S. would comply with carry the heavy sanctions placed on Russia following its unlawful invasion, however mentioned that sooner or later “the European Union (EU) goes to should be on the desk” as a result of they too have strict sanctions in place.
Issues over EU involvement in negotiating a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia have been mounting because the Trump administration more and more takes on Moscow.
Reporters questioned Kellogg about EU involvement following the Munich Safety Convention that concluded Monday, however he wouldn’t affirm whether or not an EU consultant can be formally included at any negotiations, regardless of direct considerations over European safety.
Rubio responded to questions relating to considerations that the EU and Ukraine are being deserted by the Trump administration and mentioned, “Nobody is being sidelined right here.”
PEACE TALKS: TRUMP TEAM WORKS TO END UKRAINE WAR AS EUROPEAN LEADERS MEET
Particular envoy Keith Kellogg participates within the panel dialogue on Ukraine on the Munich Safety Convention on Feb. 15, 2025, in Germany. (Johannes Simon/Getty Pictures)
“However President Trump is able – that he campaigned on – to provoke a course of that would result in an finish to this battle, and from that would emerge some very optimistic issues for america, for Europe, for Ukraine, for the world,” the secretary mentioned.
Rubio confirmed the ultimate settlement to return out of the prolonged assembly on Tuesday was that the 5 males concerned within the assembly – which included Rubio and Lavrov, in addition to Trump’s nationwide safety advisor, Michael Waltz, particular Mideast envoy Steven Witkoff and Putin’s overseas affairs advisor, Yuri Ushakov – would stay “engaged” to make sure negotiations proceed to progress in a “productive method.”
Neither the workplace of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy nor the EU instantly responded to Fox Information Digital’s questions relating to their reactions to the day’s assembly.
Zelenskyy, who was purported to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, canceled his journey on Tuesday, which in keeping with a Reuters report, was a transfer to counter any “legitimacy” of the U.S.-Russia talks that have been held with no Ukrainian delegation.
Kellogg’s workforce confirmed for Fox Information Digital that he’s set to fulfill with Zelenskyy this week throughout his journey to Kyiv.
Zelenskyy, like some EU leaders, has mentioned he won’t settle for any ceasefire negotiations that aren’t made by way of coordinated efforts with Kyiv.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appears to be like at a map throughout his go to to the one hundred and tenth mechanised brigade in Avdiivka, the positioning of fierce battles with the Russian troops within the Donetsk area, Ukraine, on Dec. 29, 2023. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Workplace by way of AP)
“Ukraine and Europe – within the broad sense, together with the European Union, Turkey and the UK – have to be concerned in discussions and the event of needed safety ensures along with america, as these choices form the way forward for our a part of the world,” he mentioned in an handle following a gathering with Turkish President Reccep Erdoğan on Tuesday.
Stories on Tuesday additionally indicated that European leaders have been seeking to reconvene at a “second emergency Ukraine summit” to debate Ukraine and Europe’s safety.
The State Division didn’t instantly reply to Fox Information Digital’s questions.
