Kyiv Excluded from US-Russia Talks on Ukraine War, Sources Say

Kyiv has not been invited to upcoming talks between the United States and Russia aimed at resolving the war in Ukraine, a senior Ukrainian government source told the .

Despite earlier statements from US special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, suggesting Kyiv would participate in Monday's negotiations in Saudi Arabia, the source confirmed that no Ukrainian delegation would attend.

European leaders have also been left out of the discussions and are instead set to convene in Paris on Monday for an emergency summit organized by French President Emmanuel Macron. The move has raised concerns that Europe is being sidelined from key negotiations.

These developments come amid a significant shift in Washington's stance on the war, following a series of strategic reassessments over the past week.

US and Russia Hold First Face-to-Face Talks on Ukraine War Without Kyiv

The White House's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, confirmed he was traveling to Saudi Arabia on Sunday evening for the first direct talks between the United States and Russia aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump revealed that Witkoff had already met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for an extended discussion lasting about three hours.

Witkoff, a billionaire real estate developer and close associate of Trump, was recently in Moscow to negotiate the release of a US teacher imprisoned on marijuana charges.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz are set to meet Russian negotiators in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant shift in diplomatic engagement just days after Trump’s phone call with Putin—the first direct communication between Washington and Moscow in three years.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has strongly rejected any potential US-Russia peace deal made without Kyiv’s involvement. Speaking to NBC News on Sunday, he insisted, "I will never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine, never." 

US-Russia Talks on Ukraine Move Forward Amid European Concerns

The United States and Russia are set to engage in their first direct talks aimed at ending the Ukraine war, though Kyiv remains absent from the meeting in Saudi Arabia. White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff insisted that Ukraine was "part of the talks", but did not confirm whether Ukrainian officials would be physically present.

Speaking in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday, Donald Trump stated he expected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to be involved in some capacity, though he did not specify how. Trump also announced that European nations would be allowed to purchase US weapons for Ukraine.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, downplaying the Saudi Arabia talks, said a formal peace process involving Ukraine, Russia, and third parties had yet to be established. However, he noted that the next few days would determine whether Russian President Vladimir Putin was serious about reaching an agreement.

European Leaders Convene in Paris

As the US-Russia talks unfold, European leaders will gather in Paris for an informal meeting on Ukraine and European security, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. Attendees include UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

In a Daily Telegraph article published ahead of the summit, Starmer said the UK was prepared to offer security guarantees for Ukraine, even suggesting British troops could be deployed if necessary. He emphasized that securing a lasting peace in Ukraine was essential to deterring further Russian aggression.

US Shift in Ukraine Policy Raises European Alarm

The Biden administration's approach to the Ukraine war has undergone a significant shift, sparking European concerns. After Trump’s "lengthy" phone call with Putin on Wednesday, he announced that negotiations to end what he called the "ridiculous war" would begin immediately.

Trump also stated that Ukraine’s NATO membership was "not practical" and that it was "unlikely" Kyiv could reclaim all of its pre-2014 borders—positions that mirror Russian demands and have raised fears of potential US concessions to Moscow.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced this stance, insisting that European nations must contribute the "overwhelming" share of funding for Ukraine, warning that Washington would no longer tolerate "an imbalanced relationship" with its allies. Similarly, Vice-President JD Vance urged Europe to "step up in a big way", criticizing European democracies during his speech at the Munich Security Conference.

Ukraine Pushes for European Defense Independence

In response, Zelensky called for the creation of a European army, arguing that the continent "could no longer count on Washington" for security.

Meanwhile, Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, with drone strikes on Mykolaiv on Sunday leaving 100,000 people without power. Zelensky said homes were left without heating after an attack on the city's "critical infrastructure".

Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2014, seizing Crimea and parts of the Donbas region, before launching a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.

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