Diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine have taken a significant turn, as high-level talks between the United States and Russia are set to take place in Saudi Arabia without the direct participation of Kyiv or European leaders.

Despite earlier assurances from US officials that Ukraine would be involved, a senior Ukrainian government source told the BBC that no delegation from Kyiv would be present at Monday's discussions. European leaders have also been excluded from the initial negotiations and are set to hold a separate emergency summit in Paris, led by French President Emmanuel Macron.

The shift in diplomatic engagement follows a turbulent week in which the US, under President Donald Trump, signaled a significant change in its approach to the war. The White House’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, confirmed his trip to Saudi Arabia for face-to-face talks with Russian negotiators. Witkoff, a close associate of President Trump, had recently visited Moscow to secure the release of an imprisoned US citizen.

President Trump, speaking to reporters in Florida, revealed that Witkoff had already met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for an "extended period" of about three hours. The US president, who recently resumed direct contact with Moscow after a three-year freeze, has positioned himself as a key player in efforts to broker peace.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz are also set to take part in the Saudi talks. However, Rubio downplayed expectations, stating that a formal peace negotiation process has not yet begun. He emphasized that the coming days would be critical in assessing whether Russia is genuinely committed to peace.

The decision to exclude European leaders from the initial negotiations has triggered concerns across the continent. Macron is set to convene an informal summit in Paris with key European figures, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Starmer has indicated that the UK is prepared to offer security guarantees to Ukraine, including the possibility of deploying British troops if necessary. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he argued that securing a lasting peace in Ukraine is crucial to preventing further Russian aggression.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has strongly opposed any peace deal made without Ukraine’s involvement. In an interview with NBC, he reaffirmed that he would "never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine." He has also called for the creation of a European army, citing growing uncertainty over US military support.

Amid the diplomatic maneuvering, reports have emerged that US officials recently provided European counterparts with a questionnaire assessing their potential troop contributions for enforcing a peace agreement. This development has further fueled speculation about Washington’s evolving strategy in the region.

President Trump has suggested that while Putin seeks an end to the conflict, Ukraine’s NATO aspirations and territorial disputes remain major sticking points. He has argued that Ukraine's NATO membership is "not practical" and suggested that reclaiming pre-2014 borders is "unlikely." These comments have alarmed European officials, who fear that Washington may be willing to make concessions to Russia.

Despite reassurances from US officials that Europe and Ukraine will be included in future negotiations, concerns remain about the trajectory of the talks. Rubio emphasized that while the US is testing Russia’s willingness for peace, one phone call or meeting will not immediately resolve the war.

As the discussions unfold, the situation on the ground remains dire. Over the weekend, a Russian drone attack in Mykolaiv left at least 100,000 people without power, highlighting the ongoing devastation caused by the conflict.

With diplomatic efforts accelerating, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the US-Russia talks pave the way for a lasting peace or deepen divisions between Western allies.