U.S.-Russia Talks to Take Place in Riyadh on February 18
Political
Negotiations between the United States and Russia on ending the war in Ukraine will take place on February 18 in Saudi Arabia, according to the American news portal Axios.
According to Axios, the U.S. delegation will include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Donald Trump's Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Witkoff.
As reported by Fox News, Witkoff and Waltz departed for Saudi Arabia on February 16, while Rubio is expected to arrive on February 17 after his visit to Israel.
The composition of the Russian delegation has not yet been officially confirmed. However, Axios suggests that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will likely attend the talks. Bloomberg reports that the Russian delegation may also include Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov and Foreign Intelligence Service Chief Sergey Naryshkin. Additionally, the negotiations are overseen by the Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on February 15 that Kyiv had not received an invitation to the talks in Saudi Arabia. However, both Donald Trump and Steve Witkoff later confirmed that Zelensky would participate. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told CBS that "any real negotiations must involve Ukraine and European nations."
On the evening of February 16, Zelensky arrived in the United Arab Emirates on an official visit. According to FlightAware, his plane first flew from Germany to Poland's Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport before continuing to Abu Dhabi. From there, it is only a two-hour flight to Riyadh.
As reported by Fox News, Witkoff and Waltz departed for Saudi Arabia on February 16, while Rubio is expected to arrive on February 17 after his visit to Israel.
The composition of the Russian delegation has not yet been officially confirmed. However, Axios suggests that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will likely attend the talks. Bloomberg reports that the Russian delegation may also include Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov and Foreign Intelligence Service Chief Sergey Naryshkin. Additionally, the negotiations are overseen by the Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on February 15 that Kyiv had not received an invitation to the talks in Saudi Arabia. However, both Donald Trump and Steve Witkoff later confirmed that Zelensky would participate. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told CBS that "any real negotiations must involve Ukraine and European nations."
On the evening of February 16, Zelensky arrived in the United Arab Emirates on an official visit. According to FlightAware, his plane first flew from Germany to Poland's Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport before continuing to Abu Dhabi. From there, it is only a two-hour flight to Riyadh.
Powered by Froala Editor