Top U.S. officials to hold Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia

U.S. officials are set to meet Russian counterparts in Saudi Arabia to discuss bringing an end to the Ukraine crisis.

Ukrainian president said Kyiv had not been invited to talks but Washington stressed that both Ukraine and Europe would have a part to play.

Our Lee Eun-hee reports.

Washington's Middle East envoy told Fox News on Sunday, that he and White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz would go to Saudi Arabia for talks aimed at ending nearly 3 years of war between Russia and Ukraine.

"I am going tonight. I'll be traveling there with the National Security adviser and we'll be having meetings at the direction of the president. And hopefully we'll make some really good progress with regard to Russia, Ukraine."

However, speaking to NBC News on the same day Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said Kyiv had not been invited to the talks in Saudi Arabia adding that Ukraine would never accept any deals made without them.

During a previous interview last week, Zelenskyy also remarked that no one, including President Trump, should trust Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Regarding Ukraine's absence from the talks, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told CBS News on Sunday that if real negotiations happen, Ukraine must be involved and that Europe must also be involved.

He also emphasized that the next few days would determine if Putin was serious about achieving peace.

Amid European concern that the U.S. is moving ahead on peace talks with Russia without consultation, French President Emmanuel Macron will hold an informal emergency meeting on Monday on security for Ukraine and Europe.

According to officials, the meeting will include Germany, Britain, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark, as well as the NATO secretary-general and the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission.

Also on Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters that he is working hard to bring peace between Russia and Ukraine and that he believes the leaders of both countries want to stop fighting.

To a question asking about Ukraine's involvement in talks, he answered that Zelensky would be involved in the negotiations.

Trump also hinted that a meeting with Russia's president in Saudia Arabia could happen soon but no date has been set.

"No, there's no time set. But it could be very soon."

Meanwhile, Russia attacked Ukraine with 143 drones Saturday overnight, injuring at least one person.

According to Ukraine's prime minister, the attack damaged a thermal power plant in Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said the attack left around 100 thousand people without heat.

He took to social media to condemn the attack calling it a sign that "Russians are waging war against our people and against life itself in Ukraine."

Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.