U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia for peace talks aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict. The meeting follows a surprise phone call between the two leaders, marking a significant shift in relations after Putin’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
In his first confirmed interaction with Putin since returning to the White House, Trump described their conversation as “lengthy and highly productive.” The Kremlin confirmed the call lasted nearly 90 minutes, with both leaders agreeing that “the time has come to work together.”
Trump revealed that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who recently facilitated a Russia-U.S. prisoner exchange, would play a key role in the discussions. “We expect that he’ll come here, and I’ll go there — and we’re going to meet probably in Saudi Arabia the first time,” Trump told reporters from the Oval Office, adding that the meeting would take place “in the not too distant future.”
Concerns Over Ukraine’s Exclusion
The announcement has sparked concerns over the exclusion of Ukraine from direct negotiations about its own future. Critics point to Trump’s recent remark that Kyiv’s NATO membership aspirations are not “practical,” a key demand from Moscow.
However, Trump pushed back against claims that Ukraine is being sidelined. “Ukraine is not being excluded,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to ending the nearly three-year war as quickly as possible.
Trump’s Promise to End the War
The peace talks signal an effort to fulfill Trump’s campaign promise to end the Ukraine war “within 24 hours” of taking office. While details of the negotiations remain unclear, the meeting is expected to be a pivotal moment in efforts to de-escalate the conflict.
Putin has also invited Trump to Moscow, further indicating a potential warming of relations between the two nuclear-armed superpowers. For now, all eyes are on Saudi Arabia as a possible venue for what could be a historic step toward peace.
