Analysis: There has been no invitation for Ukraine, nor for Europe, to join the talks planned for US and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia, writes Sam Kiley

Summary

A senior White House team, led by Steve Witkoff and Mike Waltz, is traveling to Saudi Arabia to set up Ukraine peace talks, excluding both Ukraine and Europe from negotiations.

This move raises concerns about sidelining key stakeholders while favoring direct U.S.-Russia discussions. European leaders, including Macron and Starmer, are meeting in Paris to respond.

Trump’s team has hinted at lifting Russian sanctions, a stance welcomed by the Kremlin.

NATO allies are wary of U.S. inquiries on security guarantees for Ukraine, fearing strategic leaks.

  • Skua@kbin.earth
    12·
    5 days ago
    • France and Germany weren’t even signatories to the treaties save for as members of the OSCE. Their only responsibilities in the treaty were to, as part of OSCE, monitor and verify the ceasefire.
    • Nothing about either treaty says that Ukraine can’t re-arm during the ceasefire, and literally the only thing Merkel said is that Ukraine used the time to re-arm.
    • Minsk I collapsed because nobody even implemented the ceasefire and then Russia launched a new offensive to take Donetsk airport. That is an explicit violation of the treaty, unlike Ukraine re-arming.
    • Minsk II collapsed when Russia launched its 2022 invasion.

    Ukraine preparing for a Russian invasion is not a ceasefire violation. The leader of a country that’s not even a party to the conflict saying that “it’s good that Ukraine prepared” is even more thoroughly not a violation. You know what is a violation? An invasion.