"Shocking blow" in Ukraine and the EU: Trump can meet Putin in late February - the media

The publication calls a meeting a "shocking blow" in Ukraine and the European Union. Saudi Arabia initiated a meeting by inviting parties from the United States, Ukraine and Russia to Riyadh to discuss the ways of ending the war in Ukraine. Both sides want the meeting of the leaders to be appointed by March, when Ramadan begins, the Holy Moon for Muslims.

The American team is likely to be headed by national security advisor Michael Voltz and Special Representative Stephen Witcoff, the interlocutors say. Russia will probably be represented by the main adviser to the Kremlin's foreign policy Yuri Ushakov, Director of Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Narishkin and CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund "Kirill Dmitriev. The latter is considered an unofficial channel of communication of the Russian Federation with the negotiators of Trump.

Russia and the US began to work on the final details. Ukrainian officials are expected to be present with national security advisers, but it remains unclear whether or not Kyiv is aware of such planning. The Russian newspaper Kommersant, meanwhile, writes that negotiations on Ukraine with the participation of the Russian delegation should take place in Riyadh on February 18. The American magazine does not give other details.

CBS News reported earlier about the possibility of meeting Trump and Putin in Saudi Arabia at the same time US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Putin was expressing interest in peace and should show it soon. We will remind, Paris initiated the summit of European leaders on February 17 in order to consolidate Europe's efforts on security guarantees for Ukraine. US President Donald Trump also insists on a rapid ceasefire in Ukraine. The regime can be set by Easter, April 20.