Key takeaways:

• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlights that the upcoming days will be vital in determining Russian President Vladimir Putin's seriousness about achieving peace in Ukraine.
• U.S. officials are set to meet with Russian counterparts in Saudi Arabia, a first in high-level discussions in years.
• Concerns are growing among European leaders about being excluded from the negotiation process, sparking an emergency summit planned by French President Emmanuel Macron.

In a significant statement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized on Sunday that the next few days would be crucial in understanding the seriousness of Russian President Vladimir Putin about peace in Ukraine, as U.S. officials reportedly prepared for meetings with Russian representatives in Saudi Arabia.

Rubio stated during an interview that while President Trump had discussed peace with Putin in a recent phone call, actual peace efforts must be backed by decisive actions. “Now, obviously it has to be followed up by action, so the next few weeks and days will determine whether it’s serious or not,” he remarked, adding that one conversation cannot by itself herald peace.

As U.S. officials including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff prepared for their departure to Saudi Arabia, Rubio attempted to reassure European allies regarding their role in ongoing negotiations. He stated that while no European nations were invited to the initial discussions, meaningful negotiations would ultimately require Ukrainian and European participation, given their vested interest following the conflict that has seen them heavily impacted by Russian aggression.

Meanwhile, the Independent reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had raised alarms about Russia’s escalating military operations in the region, highlighting that the country has heightened its attacks in eastern Ukraine, specifically around areas like Pokrovsk. On Saturday alone, reports indicated over 261 confrontations between the forces, reflecting a significant increase in hostilities.

The backdrop of these discussions is compounded by unease among European leaders, especially in light of comments made by Trump's envoy Keith Kellogg during the Munich Security Conference. Some leaders have expressed fear that any peace agreement struck with Putin could inadvertently compromise Ukraine's position and overall European security.

On an urgent note, the French presidency announced that Emmanuel Macron would convene European leaders for an emergency summit, aimed at addressing these pressing diplomatic issues, including the U.S. strategy towards Ukraine's geopolitical stability. The summit will feature key stakeholders, including leaders from Germany, Poland, and the EU.

As the international community closely monitors these developments, Rubio concluded that if genuine negotiations were to commence, it was essential for both Ukraine and European nations to be incorporated into the dialogue. His comments also underscored the U.S.'s challenging diplomatic relationship with Russia, recognizing the operational difficulties faced by the U.S. embassy in Moscow, which need resolution for productive talks.

With multiple layers of complexity defining the current state of affairs, all eyes are on Saudi Arabia as the next chapter in these crucial peace discussions unfolds.