In a significant shift in US foreign policy, officials from Washington and Moscow met on Tuesday to discuss efforts to end the war in Ukraine and improve bilateral relations. The high-level talks, held at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, signal a potential thaw in US-Russia ties under President Donald Trump.
The meeting, attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, focused on three key objectives: restoring diplomatic staffing in embassies, forming a high-level team to support Ukraine peace negotiations, and exploring economic cooperation. However, the absence of Ukrainian representatives has sparked concerns in Kyiv and among European allies.
Rubio described the talks as “the beginning of a conversation” and emphasized the need for further engagement. Lavrov echoed similar sentiments, calling the discussions “very useful.”
The talks also included Russian President Vladimir Putin’s foreign affairs advisor Yuri Ushakov, US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and special Mideast envoy Steven Witkoff. The absence of Ukrainian officials drew strong reactions, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejecting any outcomes of the meeting and postponing his planned trip to Saudi Arabia.
Former President Joe Biden’s administration had insisted on Kyiv’s involvement in peace talks, but Trump dismissed Ukraine’s objections, saying, “You should have ended it three years ago. You should have never started it. You could have made a deal.”
The US and Russia have had strained relations since Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, worsened by the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Western sanctions, diplomatic expulsions, and military tensions have further deepened the divide. However, Rubio suggested that ending the war could create “incredible opportunities” for US-Russia collaboration.
France responded by calling an emergency European Union meeting, fearing that Washington and Moscow might negotiate a deal unfavorable to Ukraine. Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently hinted that NATO membership for Ukraine was unrealistic and suggested Kyiv abandon hopes of reclaiming all occupied territories—positions that align with Putin’s demands.
Saudi Arabia, which has maintained ties with Russia throughout the war, hosted the talks under the direction of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. While Riyadh has mediated prisoner swaps and engaged diplomatically, Zelenskyy’s decision to delay his visit suggests unease over the meeting’s implications.
As negotiations continue, Russia has intensified drone attacks on Ukraine, launching 176 overnight. The Ukrainian air force reported that most were intercepted or jammed.
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