U.S. and Russian officials have reportedly agreed on a framework that could see the end of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, but at a potentially steep price for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, the meeting culminated in an agreement to form “high-level teams,” led by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, to draft a peace agreement, as reported earlier by The Gateway Pundit.
The U.S. delegation also includes National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Special Envoy Ambassador Steve Witkoff.
According to Sergey Lagodinsky, a German lawyer and a Member of the European Parliament, wrote on X:
According to my sources: the proposal by Trump consists of 3 stages:
1) a ceasefire
2) ELECTIONS in Ukraine
3) signing of a final agreement.
BREAKING: According to my sources: the proposal by #Trump consists of 3 stages:
1) a ceasefire
2) ELECTIONS in Ukraine
3) signing of a final agreement.This is complete fulfillment of all #Putin desires.
Especially the election part is a gift by Trump to Putin. Putin…
— Sergey Lagodinsky (@SLagodinsky) February 18, 2025
This sentiment was echoed by Fox News reporter Jacqui Heinrich, stating:
The US and Russia are proposing a three-stage peace plan, according to multiple foreign diplomatic sources close to the talks in Saudi Arabia. The plan includes a ceasefire, elections in Ukraine, then signing of a final agreement.
Multiple foreign diplomatic sources tell FOX the US and Russia consider holding new elections in Ukraine to be a key condition for the success of the settlement process. This piece is certain to stir controversy, as Russia does not hold true elections and the Ukrainians balk at the prospect of installing a pro-Russia puppet president.
A US source familiar with the negotiations softens this claim – telling me people are “floating” the elections piece – and “it may be part of future talks, but not today.”
Ukraine also disputes the notion that Zelenskyy’s popularity is too low to win reelection, even without Russian interference, citing his refusal to sign anything in Munich.
Multiple foreign diplomatic sources provided this readout from the Ukrainian side: “Putin assesses the probability of electing a puppet president as quite high and is also convinced that any candidate other than the current President of Ukraine will be more flexible and ready for negotiations and concessions. In turn, D. Trump is ready to accept any election result, including the possibility of election of a pro-Russian puppet. D. Trump and V. Putin consider the chances of the current President of Ukraine being re-elected as low.”
NEWS w/ @NanaSajaia – US/Russia 3 stage peace proposal would force new Ukraine elections: foreign diplomatic sources
The US and Russia are proposing a three-stage peace plan, according to multiple foreign diplomatic sources close to the talks in Saudi Arabia. The plan includes…
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) February 18, 2025
Spokesperson Tammy Bruce released the following statement after the meeting:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met withRussian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov today as a follow up to President Donald Trump’s conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 12. Secretary Rubio was joined by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Special Envoy Ambassador Steve Witkoff, the team chosen by President Trump to reestablish the bilateral relationship. Foreign Minister Lavrov was joined by Russian Aide to the President Yuri Ushakov.
President Trump wants to stop the killing; the United States wants peace and is using its strength in the world to bring countries together. President Trump is the only leader in the world who can get Ukraine and Russia to agree to that.
We agreed to:
- Establish a consultation mechanism to address irritants to our bilateral relationship with the objective of taking steps necessary to normalize the operation of our respective diplomatic missions.
- Appoint respective high-level teams to begin working on a path to ending the conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible in a way that is enduring, sustainable, and acceptable to all sides.
- Lay the groundwork for future cooperation on matters of mutual geopolitical interest and historic economic and investment opportunities which will emerge from a successful end to the conflict in Ukraine.
- The parties to today’s meetings pledge to remain engaged to make sure the process moves forward in a timely and productive manner.
One phone call followed by one meeting is not sufficient to establish enduring peace. We must take action, and today we took an important step forward.
We would like to thank the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
WATCH:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlines three points on U.S. and Russia discussions to end the war in Ukraine after a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Saudi Arabia:
1 – Reestablish diplomatic facilities in each respective country.
2 – Appoint a high level… pic.twitter.com/tFQ04RqLKf— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) February 18, 2025
In a related development, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has canceled his upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, choosing instead to return to Kyiv from Ankara.
NEWS: Zelenskyy CANCELLING trip to Saudi Arabia following US/Russia talks
A source with the direct knowledge tells @NanaSajaia Zelenskyy will now return to Kyiv from Ankara, Turkey.
He is on a previously planned trip – was in UAE yesterday, Turkey today, and was scheduled to…
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) February 18, 2025
On Sunday, Ukrainian president Zelensky sat down with far-left ABC News reporter Kristen Welker.
This comes after a Saturday when Zelensky could not stop ranting about the upcoming peace talks in Saudi Arabia.
Zelensky on Saturday told reporters it would be more dangerous if President Trump speaks with Putin first before he speaks with Ukraine.
“I will never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine. Never. Our people—never. Our adults and children, everybody—it can’t be so. This is a war in Ukraine against us, and it’s our human losses,” said Zelensky.
Meanwhile, globalists convened a panicked meeting in Paris amid fears that Trump might bring an end to the war in Ukraine.
This comes after the Trump administration has decisively barred Europe’s elitist cabal from participating in crucial peace negotiations
Today in Paris we reaffirmed that Ukraine deserves peace through strength.
Peace respectful of its independance, sovereignty, territorial integrity, with strong security guarantees.
Europe carries its full share of the military assistance to Ukraine.
At the same time we need… pic.twitter.com/xdAnkeWr4v
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 17, 2025
Ready and willing. That’s my take from today’s meeting in Paris. Europe is ready and willing to step up. To lead in providing security guarantees for Ukraine. Ready and willing to invest a lot more in our security. The details will need to be decided but the commitment is clear. pic.twitter.com/Y4ClrX94Qe
— Mark Rutte (@SecGenNATO) February 17, 2025
️ WATCH: Keir Starmer’s address to the nation after meeting with European leaders in Paris for an emergency summit on Ukraine
“Ukraine must have a secure future, Europe must have a secure future, Britain must have a secure future, and democratic values must prevail” pic.twitter.com/KuHOJsr5JH
— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) February 17, 2025
The post More Bad News for Zelensky — U.S.-Russia Peace Deal Demands Ukraine to Hold New Election: Report appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.