Senior diplomats from the United States and Russia met Tuesday in Saudi Arabia to discuss efforts to restore relations and negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. The high-level talks, marking a significant shift in American foreign policy under President Donald Trump, did not include any Ukrainian representatives.
The meeting took place as Ukraine faces increasing pressure on the battlefield, with Russian forces steadily advancing. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly stated that Kyiv will not accept any outcome from discussions in which Ukraine does not participate. European allies have also voiced concerns over being sidelined in the diplomatic process.
The talks, attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, aimed at thawing relations between the two nations, which have reached their lowest point in decades. Officials indicated that the meeting could set the stage for a future summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the discussions focused on “restoring the entire range of US-Russian relations” and setting the groundwork for further negotiations on Ukraine. US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce noted that the meeting aimed to assess Russia’s willingness to pursue a peace settlement and initiate detailed negotiations.
The renewed US diplomatic efforts have raised concerns among Ukraine and key European allies, who fear Washington and Moscow could proceed with an agreement that does not fully consider their interests. France convened an emergency meeting of European Union and UK officials to address the ongoing situation.
Bruce reaffirmed that while Ukraine was not included in Tuesday’s meeting, any substantive peace negotiations would involve Kyiv. The previous US administration under Joe Biden maintained a policy of including Ukraine in all discussions related to the war, a stance that shaped international efforts to isolate Russia.
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Trump and Zelenskyy following the meeting, emphasizing the need for a lasting peace in Ukraine that includes strong security guarantees for Ukrainians. “To achieve this, Russia must end its aggression,” Macron stated on social media platform X, adding that Europe, the US, and Ukraine must work together toward a resolution.
The meeting, held at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, underscored Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitions to play a key role in global diplomacy. Saudi Arabia, maintaining ties with Russia through OPEC+ and diplomatic channels, has previously facilitated prisoner exchanges and hosted Zelenskyy at the 2023 Arab League summit.
US representatives Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff participated in the discussions alongside Lavrov and Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and National Security Adviser Musaed al Alban joined for the opening session but were expected to exit early.
Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, highlighted the importance of strong US-Russia relations. “Only jointly can Russia and the US address global conflicts and offer solutions,” Dmitriev told the Associated Press, stating that economic issues were also a priority in the talks.
As negotiations unfolded, Russia continued its military offensive in Ukraine. Kyiv’s air force reported that Russian forces launched 176 drones overnight, with Ukrainian defenses successfully intercepting most. However, a Russian drone strike hit a residential building in Dolynska, Kirovohrad region, injuring a mother and her two children and prompting evacuations. Additional strikes damaged four buildings in the Cherkasy region.
The US-Russia talks in Riyadh mark the most extensive diplomatic engagement between the two nations since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. While officials remain cautious about immediate breakthroughs, the meeting signals a potential shift in global diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
Source: AP
