Top Russian, US officials begin talks on Ukraine war without officials from Kyiv
Senior Russian and U.S. officials convened in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to discuss enhancing relations and bringing an end to Moscow’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Notably, representatives from Kyiv were not included in the talks.
Leading the delegations were Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who met at the Diriyah Palace in Riyadh. Accompanying Rubio were National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, while Lavrov was joined by the Kremlin’s foreign affairs advisor, Yuri Ushakov. Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and National Security Advisor Musaed al Alban were also present at the beginning of the meeting.
The meeting signified a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Russia, as the Trump administration sought to engage in negotiations to end the conflict. President Donald Trump expressed willingness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to kickstart the peace talks.
Despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s earlier statement that Kyiv would not accept the outcome if they were not represented, the talks proceeded without Ukrainian officials. Ushakov clarified that the discussions would be strictly bilateral and exclude Ukrainian participation.
Former defense intelligence officer Rebekah Koffler suggested that Zelenskyy’s exclusion was due to his perceived irrelevance, as his presidency had expired. She emphasized Trump’s aim to restore peace in Ukraine, which had suffered greatly during the war, but noted the complexity of negotiations given the erosion of Trump’s position by the Biden administration.
The meeting between Russian and U.S. officials marked a significant development in their interactions during Russia’s conflict with Ukraine. Prior interactions had been limited, with brief discussions at international summits and concerns raised about Russia’s potential use of nuclear weapons.
Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, highlighted the importance of constructive U.S.-Russia relations in addressing global challenges and conflicts. He underscored the potential for joint efforts to offer solutions on a global scale.
The diplomatic efforts surrounding the Ukraine conflict prompted reactions from Kyiv and key allies, who scrambled to secure a voice in the negotiations. France called an emergency meeting with EU countries and the U.K. to coordinate their response. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for Russia to cease its aggression and provide credible security guarantees for Ukraine.
In conclusion, the meeting in Saudi Arabia reflected a new chapter in Russian-U.S. relations and the efforts to bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine. The global community closely monitored the discussions, recognizing the significance of finding a lasting peace in the region.
