The United States and Russia have agreed to work towards ending the ongoing conflict in Ukraine while also taking steps to improve bilateral relations. This decision emerged from high-level discussions held in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, marking the first direct engagement between senior officials from both nations since the war began in February 2022.
The meeting in Riyadh brought together Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, who met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff. The four-and-a-half-hour discussion was described as “constructive” and “serious,” with both parties committing to considering each other’s interests while working towards normalizing diplomatic ties.
A statement from the U.S. Department of State confirmed that both nations will establish a consultation mechanism aimed at resolving tensions and ensuring the proper functioning of their diplomatic missions. Additionally, Washington and Moscow will appoint high-level teams to explore a roadmap for ending the Ukraine conflict in a sustainable and mutually acceptable manner.
The meeting signals a potential thaw in the strained relations between the two countries since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January. Just last week, Trump held an extensive phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which the Russian leader invited him to visit Moscow. Following this conversation, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the two leaders swiftly agreed to organize a face-to-face meeting in a neutral location.
However, this shift in U.S. foreign policy has sparked mixed reactions. The Biden administration had previously taken a firm stance against Russia, aligning with European allies in isolating Moscow and supporting Ukraine through military aid. European leaders, who were excluded from the U.S.-Russia talks, expressed concerns over the potential sidelining of Ukraine in the negotiation process.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans voiced his discontent on social media, stating, “There can be no negotiation about Ukraine without Ukraine. The same is true for Europe.” Similarly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was in Türkiye at the time, criticized the discussions, saying Kiev learned of them only through the media and reaffirming that Ukraine would not accept any agreement reached without its participation.
As diplomatic efforts unfold, the coming weeks will determine whether these talks will lead to a meaningful resolution to the Ukraine conflict or further divisions between global allies.
