Rubio: Ukraine, Europe Will Be Part of 'Real' Peace Talks as US Assesses Putin’s Intentions

WASHINGTON, Feb 16 (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday affirmed that Ukraine and European nations would be included in any "real negotiations" to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, signaling that upcoming U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia would serve as a test of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s commitment to peace.

Speaking to CBS’s "Meet the Press," Rubio sought to reassure European allies who have expressed concerns over being sidelined from the initial U.S.-Russia discussions. He emphasized that a formal negotiation process had not yet begun and that if talks progressed, Kyiv and European nations would be brought into the discussions.

US Seeks European Input on Peacekeeping Troops

Earlier on Sunday, Reuters reported that U.S. officials had circulated a questionnaire to European counterparts, inquiring how many troops they

 would be willing to contribute to enforce a potential Ukraine-Russia peace agreement.

"President Trump spoke to Vladimir Putin last week, and Putin expressed his interest in peace," Rubio stated. "The president reiterated his desire for a resolution that would be enduring and protect Ukrainian sovereignty. But ultimately, one phone call does not make peace—the next few weeks will determine how serious Russia is."

US Delegation Heads to Saudi Arabia

U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz were set to depart for Saudi Arabia on Sunday evening, according to Witkoff in a Fox News interview. Rubio clarified that his own visit to Saudi Arabia had been planned in advance for other official matters. The final composition of the Russian delegation for the talks had yet to be confirmed.

US Pushes for Ukraine Investment, Minerals a Key Issue

The Saudi Arabia talks come as the U.S. is negotiating a separate economic agreement with Kyiv, aimed at opening Ukraine’s natural resources sector to American investment. In an NBC interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky raised concerns over whether mineral-rich territories currently controlled by Russia would be included in a peace deal.

Trump Confident Putin Wants Peace, Dismisses Full Ukraine Takeover

Former President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday, expressed confidence that Putin would not attempt to seize all of Ukraine.

"That would have caused me a big problem, because you just can’t let that happen," Trump said. "I think he wants to end it."

Trump also reiterated that Zelensky would be involved in discussions to end the conflict, though he did not provide details on how Kyiv would participate.

The talks in Saudi Arabia mark a critical moment in U.S. efforts to mediate an end to the war, with both diplomatic and economic interests at stake.

European Role in Peace Talks Uncertain Amid US-Russia Discussions

WASHINGTON, Feb 16 (Reuters) – U.S. officials sought to reassure European allies on Sunday that Ukraine and European leaders would not be sidelined in future peace negotiations, despite recent comments from Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, suggesting otherwise.

Speaking on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures," U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff emphasized that Ukrainian officials had met with multiple U.S. representatives at the Munich Security Conference in recent days. Trump also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that Ukraine and Europe would have to be involved in any serious peace talks.

"If it's real negotiations – and we're not there yet – Ukraine will have to be involved because they're the ones that were invaded, and the Europeans will have to be involved because they have sanctions on Putin and Russia as well," Rubio said.

Europe Scrambles as US Shifts Strategy

The remarks come as French President Emmanuel Macron prepares to host an emergency summit on the Ukraine war on Monday, following growing concerns among European leaders about the Trump administration’s evolving stance on Ukraine, Russia, and European defense.

European officials fear they can no longer rely on U.S. military protection and that Trump may seek a Ukraine peace deal with Putin that could undermine Kyiv and broader European security.

US-Russia Talks and Sanctions Debate

Asked if he had discussed lifting sanctions on Russia during a Saturday phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Rubio declined to confirm details, stating only that they "did not go into any details."

Following the call, Moscow claimed that discussions included the removal of "unilateral barriers" imposed by the previous U.S. administration.

Rubio also acknowledged raising concerns about the "difficult" operating conditions of the U.S. embassy in Moscow. He noted that functional diplomatic ties between Washington and Moscow would be essential for progress on Ukraine peace efforts.

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