On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will act as the main negotiator for the United States in the upcoming peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, set to take place in Turkey on Thursday.
Additionally, Envoy Steve Witkoff will join Rubio’s team, along with Keith Kellogg.
During his remarks to Saudi leaders and businesspersons, Trump mentioned that Rubio would first visit Saudi Arabia before heading to Turkey.
“Consultations are being held in Turkey later this week. I’m hopeful we can achieve good results on Thursday. Our team is going, and Marco is going too,” Trump stated.
The President didn’t elaborate much on the specifics of the meeting. However, sources indicated that the short notice created complications for Trump, particularly amidst his ongoing tour across three Middle Eastern countries.
Trump mentioned to reporters that he was contemplating flying there, though there were no signs of plans for him to make a quick trip to Turkey on the same day.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his stance clearly, stating he would only engage in discussions if it involved direct talks with Putin, as he believes that such dialogue is essential for achieving a ceasefire and resolving the conflict. He also warned that if the talks yield no fruitful outcomes, it would indicate Russia’s unwillingness to pursue diplomatic measures, prompting calls for heightened sanctions.
Moreover, European leaders have stressed the importance of a ceasefire before any serious negotiations can begin, cautioning that additional sanctions might follow if Russia proves uncooperative.
The last face-to-face meeting between Zelensky and Putin occurred in Paris in December 2019.
