Kyiv Excluded from Upcoming US-Russia Talks on Ukraine Conflict

Ukraine has been left out of the upcoming negotiations between the United States and Russia aimed at finding a resolution to the ongoing war, a senior Ukrainian government official confirmed.

This comes despite earlier comments from U.S. special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, who suggested that Kyiv would have a role in the talks scheduled to take place on Monday in Saudi Arabia. According to the Ukrainian source, however, no representatives from Kyiv have been invited to attend the meeting.

European leaders are also notably absent from the discussions. Instead, they are expected to gather in Paris on Monday for an emergency summit convened by French President Emmanuel Macron. The exclusion of European participation in the U.S.-Russia dialogue has sparked unease across the continent, with critics warning that Europe risks being sidelined in critical peace efforts.

These developments come amid what appears to be a major recalibration of Washington’s approach to the conflict, following a week of strategic reassessments and growing pressure to pursue diplomatic solutions to end the war.

US and Russia Begin Direct Talks on Ukraine Conflict Without Kyiv’s Involvement

For the first time since the start of the war, the United States and Russia have held direct talks aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine — notably without Ukrainian participation.

The White House’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, confirmed he traveled to Saudi Arabia on Sunday evening for the landmark meeting. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Witkoff had already held a three-hour discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling a renewed push for diplomatic engagement between Washington and Moscow.

In addition, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz are expected to meet Russian negotiators in Saudi Arabia this week. The talks come just days after Trump’s first phone conversation with Putin in three years, marking a dramatic thaw in U.S.-Russia relations and a potential turning point in efforts to end the war.

However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told NBC News on Sunday that any deal struck without Ukraine’s participation would be unacceptable. “I will never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine — never,” Zelensky declared, reaffirming his stance that peace discussions must include Ukrainian representation.

US and Russia Open Direct Peace Talks on Ukraine Without Kyiv’s Participation

For the first time since the conflict began, the United States and Russia have engaged in direct negotiations to explore potential solutions to the ongoing war in Ukraine — a move that notably excludes Kyiv from the discussion table.

According to the White House’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, he traveled to Saudi Arabia on Sunday to take part in the historic talks. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that Witkoff had already held an extended three-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, underscoring a renewed diplomatic effort between Washington and Moscow.

Witkoff, a billionaire real estate developer and close confidant of Trump, has recently been active in international diplomacy, including a visit to Moscow to negotiate the release of an American teacher detained on drug charges. His involvement in these talks reflects Trump’s increasing reliance on trusted personal allies for critical foreign policy missions.

Further discussions are expected to take place in Saudi Arabia later this week, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz scheduled to meet Russian delegates. The talks follow Trump’s first phone call with Putin in three years, signaling a notable shift toward renewed engagement and a possible breakthrough in the long-stalled conflict.

However, the decision to proceed without Ukraine’s participation has sparked strong backlash from Kyiv. Speaking to NBC News on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky firmly rejected any agreement made between Washington and Moscow that excludes Ukraine. “I will never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine — never,” Zelensky asserted, emphasizing that genuine peace cannot be achieved without Ukraine’s direct involvement.

European Leaders Gather in Paris Amid US-Russia Talks on Ukraine

As Washington and Moscow engage in direct discussions over the Ukraine conflict, European leaders are set to meet in Paris for an informal summit focused on Ukraine and broader European security. The meeting, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, will bring together UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Ahead of the summit, Starmer wrote in The Daily Telegraph that the UK remained committed to ensuring Ukraine’s security, even hinting that British troops could be deployed if circumstances demanded. He stressed that achieving a durable peace in Ukraine is vital to preventing further acts of aggression from Moscow and preserving stability across Europe.

Washington’s Policy Shift on Ukraine Alarms European Allies

The United States’ changing stance on the war in Ukraine has raised serious concerns across Europe. Following President Donald Trump’s extended phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin last Wednesday, Trump announced that negotiations to end what he described as the “ridiculous war” would begin immediately.

In comments that closely align with Moscow’s position, Trump suggested that Ukraine’s NATO membership was “not practical” and that it was unlikely Kyiv could fully reclaim its pre-2014 territories—a shift that many European officials interpret as a sign of potential U.S. concessions to Russia.

Further reinforcing this approach, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that European nations must shoulder the bulk of the financial burden for supporting Ukraine, warning that Washington would no longer accept what he called “an imbalanced partnership” with its allies. Echoing this sentiment, Vice President JD Vance, speaking at the Munich Security Conference, urged European democracies to “step up in a big way,” criticizing Europe’s reliance on U.S. defense and aid efforts.

Ukraine Calls for Stronger European Defense Autonomy

In the wake of shifting U.S. policies, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged European nations to establish a joint European army, asserting that the continent “can no longer rely on Washington” for its security needs. His call reflects growing concern in Kyiv and across Europe about the future of Western support amid changing U.S. priorities.

Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine shows no signs of abating. On Sunday, Russian drone strikes targeted the southern city of Mykolaiv, cutting power to roughly 100,000 residents and leaving many homes without heating following severe damage to the city’s critical infrastructure.

The ongoing assault marks another grim chapter in a conflict that began in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatist movements in the Donbas region. The situation escalated dramatically on February 24, 2022, when Moscow launched a full-scale invasion, plunging Europe into its most significant military crisis in decades.

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