Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discuss Ukraine war and removal of “unilateral barriers” in a significant diplomatic breakthrough, following President Donald Trump’s surprise phone call to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
(The Post News)- The United States and Russia have initiated discussions regarding the Ukraine conflict, marking a significant diplomatic breakthrough. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a conversation on Saturday, focusing on the war in Ukraine and efforts to remove “unilateral barriers” erected by the previous US administration.
This development follows President Donald Trump’s unexpected phone call to Russian President Vladimir Putin, where Trump declared an abrupt start to peace negotiations, catching European allies off guard. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed irritation, stating that Ukraine had not been invited to the talks scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia.
Zelenskiy emphasized that Kyiv would only negotiate with Russia after discussing it with their strategic partners. At the Munich Security Conference, Zelenskiy signaled that Ukraine would not endorse any agreement concluded without their participation.
The call between Rubio and Lavrov, initiated by the US, addressed the resumption of diplomatic ties and the elimination of economic and investment obstacles. However, some aspects of the negotiations remain unclear.
A US delegation, including Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, will meet with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia next week. The agenda is expected to focus on Ukraine, but it’s unclear if Ukrainian representatives will be present.
European leaders have stressed the importance of Ukraine’s direct role in any peace deal. US Vice President JD Vance reaffirmed Washington’s desire for a “lasting, durable peace” during a meeting with Zelenskiy.
The legitimacy of any potential accord between Russia and the US has been questioned, given Ukraine’s exclusion from early talks. The outcome of these negotiations remains uncertain, with concerns about whether they will yield significant steps toward resolving the war.
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