In a significant diplomatic development, the U.S. and Russia have opened talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at improving relations and negotiating an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The discussions took place at the Diriyah Palace in Riyadh on Tuesday, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. This marks a potential shift in U.S.-Russia relations after years of strained ties following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Rubio was joined by U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, while Russia’s Foreign Policy Adviser Yuri Ushakov participated on behalf of President Vladimir Putin. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and National Security Adviser Mosaad bin Mohammad Al-Aiban also attended but were expected to depart early in the talks.
Despite these talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed that his visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday had no connection to the U.S.-Russia meeting, emphasizing that Ukraine should be at the center of any discussions about its future. This statement underscored concerns that U.S. and Russian negotiations could proceed without Ukraine’s involvement, prompting fears among Kyiv and its allies that they could be sidelined.
The surge in U.S. diplomatic engagement has prompted key European allies, including France, to coordinate a response. A meeting was held between European Union countries and the U.K. to discuss how to ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty is defended and ensure Europe’s role in any peace negotiations.
Michael Butler, a political scientist, highlighted differing views within Europe on how to handle the situation, particularly between nations like Poland, Finland, and the Baltic states, who advocate for a more assertive approach, and other European powers that may be less inclined to push for stronger action.
Ahead of the talks, Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, underscored the importance of U.S.-Russia cooperation, stressing that both nations need to work together to address global conflicts. However, the road to meaningful dialogue remains fraught with challenges, particularly in balancing the interests of Ukraine, NATO allies, and the U.S.-Russia negotiations.
