US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed that Ukraine and Europe will be involved in any meaningful peace negotiations with Russia. Upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia will test Moscow’s commitment, amid concerns over US diplomatic moves and European security.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has assured that Ukraine and Europe will be involved in any substantial negotiations to end Moscow’s war, stressing that upcoming discussions with Russia in Saudi Arabia will serve as a test of President Vladimir Putin’s commitment to peace.
Speaking on CBS, Rubio sought to allay European concerns about being excluded from the initial US-Russia talks, clarifying that negotiations had not yet begun in earnest. If they progress, he emphasised, Ukraine and European allies would be included.
Earlier, Reuters reported that US officials had asked European counterparts how many troops they could contribute to enforcing a potential peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia.
"President Trump spoke to Vladimir Putin last week, during which Putin expressed an interest in peace. The president made clear his desire for a lasting resolution that safeguards Ukrainian sovereignty," Rubio stated on Meet the Press. However, he cautioned that a single phone call would not be decisive, and the coming weeks would determine Russia’s sincerity in ending the conflict.
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz were due to depart for Saudi Arabia on Sunday evening, Witkoff confirmed in a Fox News interview. Rubio noted that his presence there was part of previously scheduled official travel. The composition of the Russian delegation remains undetermined.
The discussions coincide with US efforts to secure investment opportunities in Ukraine’s natural resources. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in an NBC interview, questioned whether mineral-rich territories currently under Russian control would be ceded to Moscow as part of a potential settlement.
Trump, who spoke with Putin on Wednesday, expressed confidence that the Russian leader does not seek full control of Ukraine. “That would have been a big problem for me—you just can’t allow that,” he told reporters in Florida, adding that Zelenskiy would be involved in any peace discussions.
European concerns over exclusion
While Rubio and Witkoff dismissed fears that European nations would be sidelined, Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, had suggested otherwise at the Munich Security Conference.
Witkoff pointed out that Ukrainian officials had recently met with several US representatives at the conference and that Trump had held direct talks with Zelenskiy. Rubio reiterated that European involvement would be essential.
“If we reach the stage of real negotiations—and we are not there yet—Ukraine must be part of the process, as the nation under attack. European countries will also play a role due to the sanctions they have imposed on Russia,” he said.
French President Emmanuel Macron is set to host an emergency summit on Monday to discuss the latest developments, following European unease over recent US actions regarding Ukraine, Russia, and defence policy.
European leaders have voiced increasing concerns about the reliability of US military support and the possibility of a peace deal that could undermine Kyiv’s position and European security.
Asked whether he had discussed lifting sanctions on Russia during a call with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Rubio declined to confirm, stating only that details were not discussed. Moscow, however, claimed the conversation addressed the removal of “unilateral barriers” imposed by the previous US administration.
Rubio acknowledged that diplomatic relations between Washington and Moscow remain strained, noting that any progress on Ukraine would require both nations to have fully operational embassies in each other’s capitals.
With looming US tariff hikes on steel, the UK is pushing for a swift implementation of a trade deal meant to protect £400mn in exports and safeguard industry jobs.
As the US-China trade standoff intensifies, Beijing has released a striking video vowing to resist pressure and uphold its global trade role, accusing Washington of economic coercion.
Reported visa denials and stricter screening processes have raised concerns among Chinese students applying to American universities, as policies shaped by national security priorities continue to influence international academic exchange.
Japan is preparing for a new round of trade discussions with the U.S. as both sides try to resolve differences before higher tariffs on Japanese automobile exports take effect in July.
U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted at a major announcement later this week, without offering any details, during a wide-ranging Oval Office exchange with Canadian leader Mark Carney.
The election of nationalist Karol Nawrocki as Poland’s new president marks a significant political shift that could complicate the country’s relations with both the European Union and Ukraine,
Heavy flooding has wreaked havoc in southwestern China’s Yunnan province, destroying dozens of homes and vital infrastructure in the Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, local authorities reported on Monday.
UN Headquarters in New York, powerful voices from France’s overseas territories accused Paris of sustaining colonial control under new names, demanding sovereignty, reparations, and justice for people of African descent.
With the collapse of the Assad regime and growing stability in Syria, thousands of displaced civilians are returning from refugee camps to rebuild their lives amid widespread devastation.
Karol Nawrocki’s narrow win in Poland’s presidential race signals a sharp turn in tone toward both the European Union and Ukraine, raising questions over Warsaw’s future alignment in Central Europe.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
Taxi drivers across France are protesting government plans to cut payments for driving patients to medical appointments. These cuts are part of a broader effort by Prime Minister François Bayrou to save €40 billion in the 2026 budget and reduce the country’s large deficit.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Brazil’s economy is expected to have regained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in household spending and private investment, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted from May 21–26.
The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and Canada’s Gran Tierra Energy Inc. signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the sidelines of the 30th Anniversary International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition held as part of Baku Energy Week.
Heavy flooding has wreaked havoc in southwestern China’s Yunnan province, destroying dozens of homes and vital infrastructure in the Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, local authorities reported on Monday.
UN Headquarters in New York, powerful voices from France’s overseas territories accused Paris of sustaining colonial control under new names, demanding sovereignty, reparations, and justice for people of African descent.
Karol Nawrocki’s narrow win in Poland’s presidential race signals a sharp turn in tone toward both the European Union and Ukraine, raising questions over Warsaw’s future alignment in Central Europe.
In a significant development toward de-escalating the ongoing war, Russia on Monday formally presented Ukraine with a comprehensive peace proposal, outlining steps for a full ceasefire and a long-term peace agreement, according to Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation.
The election of nationalist Karol Nawrocki as Poland’s new president marks a significant political shift that could complicate the country’s relations with both the European Union and Ukraine,
Heavy flooding has wreaked havoc in southwestern China’s Yunnan province, destroying dozens of homes and vital infrastructure in the Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, local authorities reported on Monday.
UN Headquarters in New York, powerful voices from France’s overseas territories accused Paris of sustaining colonial control under new names, demanding sovereignty, reparations, and justice for people of African descent.
With the collapse of the Assad regime and growing stability in Syria, thousands of displaced civilians are returning from refugee camps to rebuild their lives amid widespread devastation.
Karol Nawrocki’s narrow win in Poland’s presidential race signals a sharp turn in tone toward both the European Union and Ukraine, raising questions over Warsaw’s future alignment in Central Europe.
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