US officials revealed on Saturday that a high-level delegation from President Donald Trump’s administration will begin peace talks with Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in Saudi Arabia to resolve the Ukraine war.

Delegation Details

The delegation will include Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East negotiator, White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They will head to Saudi Arabia for the critical discussions.

Trump Agrees to Start Talks

This move follows Trump’s recent decision to begin ceasefire negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It was their first conversation since Trump took office.

Rubio’s Middle East Tour

Though officials did not specify travel dates, Rubio had already planned a visit to Saudi Arabia as part of his Middle East tour. He arrived in Israel on Saturday, according to an AFP journalist.

Call with Lavrov

Earlier, Rubio spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The State Department said Rubio "reaffirmed President Trump’s commitment to finding an end to the conflict in Ukraine."

Witkoff’s Role

Witkoff, a former property developer, played a key role in a prisoner exchange deal earlier this week. The deal set the stage for the Trump-Putin call. Witkoff also traveled to Moscow to bring US detainee Marc Fogel back home.

Trump’s Social Media Announcement

Trump posted on social media that he had assigned Rubio, Waltz, Witkoff, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe to immediately work on a deal with Russia to end the war.

Kyiv and European Allies Surprised

Kyiv and its European allies were caught off guard by Trump’s sudden move to initiate talks with Russia. Both sides now fear being excluded from discussions about Ukraine’s future after the largest land invasion in Europe since World War II.