New Delhi:
While top diplomats from Moscow and Washington meet in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, US-Russia ties and the Ukrainian war appear on the table, but concerning Europe remains in the shadows.
Questions about Russian Ukraines that do not have Kiev on the table
The tentative start to end the Russian-Ukrainian war is approaching nearly three years, but both sides have their first high-level competition as the 2022 invasion of Ukraine is unlikely to bring about concrete results. He said that. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US national security adviser Mike Waltz and Russian officials also discuss the war in Ukraine. The talks ruled out Ukraine joining NATO after US President Donald Trump held a meeting with Russian Vladimir Putin.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that he “is primarily dedicated to restoring the entire complex of Russian-American relations,” and that “there is a possibility of negotiations on a Ukrainian resolution. “Along with discussions about organizing a meeting between the two presidents.”
Kyiv was not invited to talks and urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accuse the US of saying “Puting by” “what is now very positive.” Zelensky said, “We are not signing anything just to be praised,” and emphasized that “the fate of our nation for generations to come” is at stake. Still, he warned that “there will definitely not be a victory for Ukraine without US support.”
Zelensky said last week he was ready to meet Putin, but only after Kiev and his allies had a common position to end the war.
Trump’s call for a swift resolution on a three-year conflict in Ukraine is an opportunity for Moscow to push long-standing demands about Washington’s military presence in Europe. Moscow tried to roll back the presence of NATO in Europe. Putin is calling for military alliance equipment and base withdrawal from eastern members that were within the sphere of Moscow’s influence during the Cold War in February 2022.
Supported by progress on the battlefield, Moscow will push the Ukrainian troops back beyond the 1,000-kilometer frontline and regain control of villages in the West Kursk region.
Disputed “relocation” plan
Rubio will also discuss US proposals in Gaza with Saudi Arabian officials with Saudi officials days after Trump’s proposal to “take over” Gaza and relocate millions of Palestinians from the besieged enclave. . The US has shown that it is open to alternative proposals from the Arab government, but Rubio says “the only plan is the Trump plan.”
The US State Department confirmed that Rubio met with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, during which he emphasized the importance of Gaza’s arrangements to contribute to the safety of the region, the Xinhua Conference reported. Ta. The official Saudi Arabian news agency (SPA) reported that it discussed regional and global developments and efforts to achieve security and stability.
This is just days ahead of the regional Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Riyadh to formalize the proposal as Egypt plans a “comprehensive vision” for reconstruction of Gaza without population movement. there is.
Europe left in the cold
Zelensky warned that if Europe does not rely on US security umbrellas, Europe is in a vulnerable position. “Preparations are increasing” in terms of unit strength, number of combat forces, number of fleets, air forces and drones, but I honestly think Europe is weak today,” he said.
When European leaders gathered in Paris for an emergency security summit, Russia’s Lavrov said there was no point in him participating in Ukraine consultations. “I don’t know what they’re going to do at the negotiation table… If they’re sitting at the negotiation table with the aim of continuing the war, why would they invite them there?” he said at a press conference in Moscow. He spoke.
Return of diplomatic pariah
And as Europe cannot serve as a common hub for US and Russia’s speeches, diplomatic pariah under Joe Biden-led administration Saudi Arabia was returned to the fold with Trump’s return.
Saudi Arabia’s entry into the spotlight comes after oil-rich electricity brokered a fragile ceasefire in Qatar’s struggles in the Israel-Hamas war.
Saudi Arabia has come a long way towards international legitimacy after the loss and death of opposition journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey in 2018.
Saudi Arabia, a historic US ally, avoided choosing the side in the Ukrainian War. Meanwhile, it also maintains close ties with Russia on energy policy, pledging hundreds of millions of dollars in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.
