Trump and Putin to Meet in Saudi Arabia to Discuss Ukraine

On Wednesday, February 12, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia for peace talks aimed at addressing the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

The visit follows an unexpected phone call between Putin and Trump, marking their first confirmed discussion since Trump’s return to the White House.

During what was described as a “lengthy and highly productive” conversation, the two leaders reportedly agreed that it was time to collaborate on resolving the war in Ukraine.

The call, which lasted nearly 90 minutes, saw both leaders expressing a shared goal of ending the “millions of deaths” in the conflict, according to Trump’s post on Truth Social.

The upcoming meeting, expected to take place soon, will likely include Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who recently facilitated a Russia-U.S. prisoner exchange. Additionally, the Kremlin has invited Trump to visit Moscow following the Saudi discussions.

Trump, advocating for a swift resolution to the nearly three-year war, suggested that Ukraine’s bid to join NATO—a major point of contention with Russia—was “not practical.”

However, he refuted claims that Ukraine would be excluded from negotiations, stressing that Kyiv’s concerns would be considered. He confirmed that he and Putin have agreed to initiate talks immediately, with teams from both sides working toward a possible agreement.

Although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was not part of Trump’s conversation with Putin, he later spoke with Trump, who reassured him that both he and Putin were committed to peace. Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s firm stance that its “independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty” remain non-negotiable.

The announcement of the upcoming peace talks has sparked concern in Ukraine and across European capitals, with fears that the U.S. may be making concessions to Russia.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has stated that Ukraine’s objective of reclaiming its pre-2014 borders is unrealistic and that NATO membership is “not practical,” echoing one of Moscow’s key demands.

Trump’s conversation with Putin comes amid signs of easing tensions, including a recent prisoner exchange between Russia and the U.S. While some view Trump’s diplomatic efforts as a step toward ending the war, critics—especially within Ukraine—have raised alarms over Kyiv’s exclusion from the initial negotiations.

Foreign ministers from France, Germany, and Spain have emphasized that any peace agreement must fully involve Ukraine and its European allies. As discussions progress, the international community remains watchful, particularly regarding Ukraine’s insistence on securing strong safety guarantees in any potential deal with Russia.