After years of diplomatic silence, high-level talks between Russia and the United States are set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday. The meeting, which will be held with the aim of resolving the ongoing Ukraine conflict and reestablishing bilateral relations, marks a significant step forward after a long period of strained communication.
Representing Russia, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov will lead the delegation, as per the orders of President Vladimir Putin. The US side will be headed by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff. This gathering is expected to focus on a wide range of issues, with particular attention on preparations for a potential summit between Russian and US leaders, which will likely be a key topic of discussion.
The meeting between Lavrov and Rubio comes after a notable gap in direct talks. The last face-to-face meeting between Lavrov and then-US Secretary of State Antony Blinken occurred in Geneva three years ago. Since then, the relationship between the two countries deteriorated significantly, especially during the Biden administration. The recent telephone conversation between Presidents Putin and Trump on February 12 further emphasized the strained state of US-Russia relations, with both leaders acknowledging the damage done during Biden’s tenure.
One of the major topics of the Riyadh meeting will be the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Russia has long emphasized its willingness to engage in serious dialogue, yet it was Washington that suspended official talks. Lavrov indicated that the meeting in Riyadh was initiated by the US and expressed Russia’s eagerness to hear what the American side has to offer. The outcome of the discussions will be communicated to both President Putin and President Trump, who will determine the next steps in the diplomatic process.
The attention surrounding the talks has also led to interest from other international players. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to visit Riyadh on Wednesday, but he has made it clear that Ukraine will not be involved in the talks and does not recognize their potential outcomes.
As tensions continue to run high, these upcoming discussions between the US and Russia could pave the way for a much-needed thaw in relations, but it remains to be seen whether they will lead to a significant breakthrough in the Ukraine crisis.
