Talks between Russia and the United States regarding the conflict in Ukraine are scheduled to start on Tuesday.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff are all scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia for the discussions.
Despite Keith Kellogg, the Trump administration’s Russia-Ukraine envoy, discussing a dual track set of negotiations and being in Kyiv this week, a Ukrainian official stated that they would not be present at the talks. US President Donald Trump declared on Sunday that the Ukrainians would join the negotiations.
As UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared on Sunday that he was prepared and willing to deploy British troops to Ukraine in order to enforce a peace agreement, news of the US-Russia talks came to light.
Starmer admitted in the Daily Telegraph that he does not dismiss the possibility, but he posited that ensuring Ukraine’s security would also fortify the security of the United Kingdom and Europe.
He urged European nations to up their defense spending and “take on a greater role in NATO,” but he also emphasized that US support would continue to be essential for maintaining peace. The prime minister added that he would schedule meetings with Trump and other G7 allies in the near future to negotiate an effective agreement.
Starmer is one of the European leaders who will participate in an emergency summit on Ukraine on Monday, as there is increasing concern that the Trump administration’s decision to collaborate with Russia in order to end the war has resulted in their isolation.
On Monday, the Elysée Palace announced that French President Emmanuel Macron would convene a “informal” meeting with the heads of government of Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark, as well as the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission, and the Secretary General of NATO.
In a statement issued by Downing Street on Saturday, Starmer referred to the European meeting as a “once in a generation” opportunity to safeguard national security. He also stated that the UK would strive to maintain the unity of the US and Europe. He said, “We cannot allow any divisions in the alliance to distract from the external enemies we face.”
