**US and Russian Reps Meet in Secret to Discuss Ukraine**
Unofficial representatives from the US and Russia have been meeting secretly in Switzerland to discuss the situation in Ukraine. This was revealed by Reuters on February 21.
The meetings took place just days after high-level officials from Russia and the US held informal peace talks in Saudi Arabia without Ukraine’s involvement. The talks were described as “track two meetings”, a type of unofficial diplomacy aimed at reducing tensions.
According to sources, the US and Russia started exchanging communication after Donald Trump won the US presidential election in November 2016. Some of Trump’s advisors are aware of the secret meetings, which took place as recently as days ago.
The attendees were not state officials but had security and diplomatic experience. It is unclear who sent them or what their role was. The sources declined to name the attendees.
This news comes at a time when relations between Kyiv and the Trump administration have been strained. In February 2023, Trump referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a “dictator”, a statement that undermined Ukraine’s legitimacy.
Ukrainian and European officials have warned against holding negotiations about Ukraine without its participation. President Zelensky has stated that Ukraine will not accept a peace deal negotiated behind its back.
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