Evening, I'm Ali Rogan.

John Yang is away.

As the Munich Security Conference wrapped up today, American officials prepared to begin

talks with Russia overending the war in Ukraine.

Those discussions are expected to begin in the coming days in Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Europe's leaders are preparing to convene an emergency meeting in Paris on Monday

in response to being shut out of

early negotiations. There's also no clear indication yet that Keeve will be involved at those talks

either. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky told NBC's Meet the Press today that his country

would never accept a deal struck just between Moscow and Washington. He also said surrendering any Ukrainian land is off the table.

We will never do it.

It's not about any negotiations.

We will never speak about it.

Even Crimea, you seem to have acknowledged it.

Even Crimea, we will never recognize it.

Because in years, in years, all things, all things which are Ukrainian will be Ukraine.

Kurt Volker served as the U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations under the First Trump administration and was the U.S. ambassador to NATO under President George W. Bush.

Kurt, thank you so much for being with us.

What are your expectations for these talks in Saudi Arabia, especially given that neither Ukraine

nor European representatives at this moment we understand are invited to attend?

Well, first off, you know, we've had bilateral meetings with Russia, with Ukrainians, with Europeans,

all the time. So I don't see this is particularly outside the box.

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