US and Russia Hold Ukraine Talks Amid Concerns Over Exclusion of Key Parties

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In a significant diplomatic meeting held in Saudi Arabia, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine on February 18, 2025. The talks took place without representatives from Ukraine or the European Union, leading to heightened concerns about transparency and potential agreements, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He emphasized that Ukraine will not recognize any agreements made without its involvement.

The meeting set the stage for a potential face-to-face encounter between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. U.S. officials, including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, attended with the intention of exploring avenues towards a peaceful resolution. However, Rubio warned that resolving the complex conflict would require more than just one meeting.

French President Emmanuel Macron held an emergency gathering of European leaders in response to the talks, aiming to unify a stance on Ukraine’s future. Lavrov dismissed European participation in the negotiations, expressing skepticism about their intentions, while also hinting at expectations for territorial concessions from Ukraine.

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