Russia, US agree on key objectives in ending Ukraine war
Riyadh: In a massive shift in US foreign policy, Russia and the United States have agreed to begin efforts to end the war in Ukraine and improve diplomatic and economic relations. The discussions, which reflect a notable change under President Donald Trump’s administration, were confirmed by the top diplomats of both countries.
Following the meeting, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that both sides agreed to three main goals: restoring staffing at their embassies in Washington and Moscow, creating a high-level team to support Ukraine peace talks, and exploring deeper relations and economic cooperation. Rubio stressed that the discussions were just the start of a broader dialogue, with much work still needed.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov echoed Rubio’s comments, calling the conversation "very useful."
US, Russian officials meet amid ongoing war in Ukraine
The meeting, held in Riyadh, also included top officials such as Trump’s national security advisor Michael Waltz, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s foreign affairs advisor Yuri Ushakov, and other senior figures from both sides. Notably, no Ukrainian officials attended the talks, which took place as Ukraine continues to struggle in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced opposition to the talks, as Ukraine was not invited. He stated that his country would not accept any outcome from the discussions, prompting him to delay his scheduled trip to Saudi Arabia. European allies, too, expressed concerns about being excluded from the talks.
US President Donald Trump, however, was unsympathetic to Ukraine's objections, remarking, "Today I heard, 'Oh, well, we weren't invited.' Well, you been there for three years. You should have ended it three years ago."
Rising tensions between Russia, US
The US-Russia relationship has deteriorated significantly in recent years, with tensions rising after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In response, the US and its European allies imposed sanctions on Russia, and diplomatic expulsions followed.
Rubio suggested that ending the war in Ukraine could open opportunities for collaboration between the US and Russia on shared global issues. He indicated that this shift in approach might lead to improved relations between the two countries in the long run.
The talks also set the stage for a potential summit between Trump and Putin, although no date has been set yet. Lavrov confirmed the agreement on the three main goals and highlighted the need for "regular consultations" on Ukraine.
Ukraine, allies scramble for place in peace talks
The US diplomatic shift has raised concerns in Ukraine and among its European allies, who worry that a deal could be made without their involvement. The absence of Ukrainian officials from the talks has created frustration, with France holding an emergency meeting of EU countries and the UK to discuss the war.
US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce explained that the talks aimed to assess how serious Russia is about achieving peace and whether formal negotiations could begin. Rubio assured that the US would engage with Ukraine and its European partners throughout the process.
European allies react to talks exclusion
French President Emmanuel Macron revealed that he had spoken to both Trump and Zelenskyy following the European meeting. Despite the ongoing concerns, the meeting in Riyadh marked a significant diplomatic moment, reflecting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's growing influence on the global stage.
Saudi Arabia, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has maintained close ties with Russia, both diplomatically and through the OPEC+ oil cartel. Saudi Arabia has also facilitated prisoner negotiations and hosted Zelenskyy at an Arab League summit in 2023.
Despite the diplomatic talks, Russia's military continues to target Ukraine, with recent drone strikes reported overnight. Ukraine’s military confirmed that Russian troops launched 176 drones at the country, with most of them being destroyed or disabled.
Agency