Russia and the United States held extensive talks in Riyadh on February 18, lasting 4.5 hours. Following the discussions, US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the outcome, stating that his confidence in resolving the Ukraine crisis had strengthened.
Speaking from Mar-a-Lago, Florida, after signing a series of executive orders, Trump described the meeting as “very good” and underscored Russia’s apparent willingness to address ongoing conflicts. “Russia wants to do something. They want to stop the savage barbarianism,” he remarked, signaling a potential shift in diplomatic engagements between the two global powers.
The high-level meeting brought together key officials from both nations. Russia was represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, presidential aide Yury Ushakov, and Kirill Dmitriev, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). On the US side, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and the special envoy for the Middle East, Steven Witkoff, participated in the discussions.
According to Ushakov, the agenda covered a broad range of issues, with both sides engaging in extensive dialogue on efforts to align their respective positions on global affairs, including Ukraine. Lavrov described the exchange as “very constructive,” noting that one of the key agreements reached was the expedited appointment of ambassadors in both Washington, D.C., and Moscow to facilitate diplomatic interactions.
Additionally, the US Department of State confirmed that both sides agreed to establish negotiating teams focused on Ukraine. This move marks a potential turning point in US-Russia relations, which have been strained due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The agreement to pursue further cooperation on shared geopolitical interests also indicates a renewed effort to ease tensions and seek common ground on pressing global challenges.
The Riyadh meeting represents a rare moment of direct engagement between the two nations at a time when diplomatic relations have been marked by sanctions, military escalations, and deep-seated distrust. If the negotiating teams deliver meaningful progress, it could pave the way for de-escalation in Ukraine and broader geopolitical stability.
While it remains to be seen how these agreements will translate into concrete actions, the diplomatic overtures from both sides suggest a willingness to explore pathways toward resolution. For now, Trump’s assessment of the talks as “very good” raises expectations that dialogue between Russia and the United States may continue to evolve in a more constructive direction.
