Saudi Arabia as part of an effort to negotiate an end to the ongoing Ukraine War. This meeting, which will be the first between the two leaders in nearly four years, signals a major shift in U.S. diplomacy compared to the approach taken by the Biden administration.
President Donald Trump revealed that he had a lengthy phone call with Putin, marking their first official conversation since Trump began his second term. He also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, emphasizing that both Zelensky and Putin are seeking peace. Trump stated that the U.S. would play a key role in fostering negotiations and has appointed a team to lead the efforts, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Vice President J.D. Vance and Rubio will represent the U.S. at the Munich Security Conference, where global defense and security officials will gather.
The choice of Saudi Arabia as the meeting location is strategic, as it allows Trump to address other regional issues, such as the fragile ceasefire in Gaza. Trump had previously promised a ceasefire in Gaza during his campaign, but tensions remain high, and the Saudi meeting could help stabilize the situation.
However, challenges remain in the Ukraine peace process. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine and deemed a return to pre-2014 borders, before Russia’s annexation of Crimea, as unrealistic. These conditions could complicate negotiations, particularly for Zelensky.
Trump’s approach to Russia marks a departure from the Biden administration’s stance. While Biden had taken a hardline position against Putin, Trump has adopted a more conciliatory tone, recalling past U.S.-Russia cooperation during World War II. Trump and Putin also discussed the importance of strengthening ties between their nations, with Trump noting the potential benefits of future collaboration.
The meeting also comes at a critical time for U.S.-Russia relations, as the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which limits nuclear weapons, is set to expire next year. Trump’s efforts to engage with Putin could also aim to weaken the growing alliance between Russia and China, which has been a concern for the U.S. since Russia’s isolation following its invasion of Ukraine.
This meeting represents Trump’s first major step toward fulfilling his campaign promise to end the Ukraine War, though the complexities of the situation suggest that achieving peace will be far from straightforward.
