Ukraine war update: Trump to host second round of peace talks with Russia
The United States and Russia continue to discuss how to end the war in Ukraine, seemingly over the heads of the Ukrainians themselves and other European nations.
President Donald Trump has announced a new phase of Ukraine war ceasefire negotiations along with Vladimir Putin and other Russian leaders. This diplomatic move follows initial discussions held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which notably excluded Ukrainian representatives—something that has drawn criticism from both Kyiv and European allies.
The peace talks underscore the Trump's administration commitment to de-escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Nonetheless, the absence of Ukrainian participation in negotiations has raised concerns about the legitimacy of any agreements reached, as well as its potential efficacy. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian leader, has been very vocal in his opposition to said negotiations which exclude its country.
Peace talks between the U.S. and Russia without Ukraine
President Trump has said the talks would also take place in the Saudi capital Riyadh on February 25th. This date is set a week after the first round of negotiations, which took place in the same city on Tuesday. After the meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said both Russia and the U.S. had agreed to pursue three main goals:
- Restore staffing at their respective embassies in Washington and Moscow.
- Create a high-level team to support Ukraine peace talks.
- Explore closer relations and economic cooperation.
The U.S. President has faced backlash due to the lack of Ukraine representation in these meetings. However, Trump decided to double down on his stance, falsely suggesting Zelenskyy was responsible for starting the war with Russia, accusing him of doing a terrible job, as well as calling the Ukrainian leader a ''dictator without elections".
What it means for the Russia-Ukraine ongoing war
Trump's renewed peace talks with Russia have the potential to shift the dynamics of the war, but the exclusion of Ukraine will taint the legitimacy of any agreement. Without Ukraine at the table, any deal could favor Russian interests, potentially pushing Kyiv to accept unfavorable terms.
Ukrainian officials are rejecting negotiations that do not include them, which signals possible resistance to any proposed peace settlement. As for Russia, these talks could secure diplomatic gains without making major concessions. If Trump’s approach leads to reduced U.S. military aid to Ukraine, it could weaken Ukraine’s defense efforts and boost Russia’s position on the battlefield.