U.S. and Russian officials convened in Riyadh on Tuesday for their most significant discussions to date regarding the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. The agenda was anticipated to include strategies for concluding the three-year war and improving American-Russian relations. These discussions may set the stage for a potential summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukraine, which is not participating in the talks, has asserted that any peace agreement made without its involvement would be unacceptable. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy emphasized last week, “As a sovereign nation, we cannot agree to any arrangements that exclude us.”
European nations, concerned about being excluded from negotiations that could shape the continent’s future security, have also insisted on being part of the peace discussions. Media representatives were permitted to capture footage of the two delegations prior to the commencement of the talks.
Seated at a polished wooden table adorned with three large white floral arrangements were Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, facing U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz, and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
The officials did not respond to reporters’ shouted inquiries regarding whether the U.S. was marginalizing Ukraine or what concessions were being sought from Moscow. Russia indicated that the discussions would aim to conclude the conflict and restore the entirety of the Russia-U.S. relationship, which the Kremlin characterized as being “below zero” during Joe Biden’s previous administration. Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, remarked in Riyadh, “We truly believe that President Trump and his team are problem solvers who have effectively and successfully tackled significant challenges.”
Dmitriev, a former Goldman Sachs banker educated in the U.S., was involved in the initial communications with Moscow during Trump’s presidency from 2016 to 2020. On Monday, Ushakov indicated that Dmitriev may participate in the delegation to address economic issues. “It is crucial to recognize that U.S. companies incurred losses of approximately $300 billion due to their exit from Russia. This situation has significant economic repercussions for many nations given the current circumstances,” Dmitriev remarked.
US ADOPTS A NEW STRATEGY TOWARD RUSSIA UNDER TRUMP
European leaders convened in Paris on Monday for an urgent summit aimed at formulating a cohesive strategy, following Trump’s unexpected call for immediate discussions on Ukraine after his recent conversation with Putin.
The leaders expressed their commitment to increasing defense investments and taking the initiative in providing security assurances for Ukraine. “There is a palpable sense of urgency,” stated Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof. “At this pivotal moment for Europe’s security, we must remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine.”
“Europe must contribute to ensuring any agreement, and collaboration with the United States is vital.” The gathering in Riyadh marks a notable shift from the stance taken by the Biden administration, which has avoided public engagements, believing that Russia lacks genuine intent to resolve the conflict.
Russia commenced a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, following its annexation of Crimea and the instigation of an insurgency in the east in 2014, and currently occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory. U.S. officials characterized Tuesday’s discussions as preliminary efforts to assess Moscow’s willingness to negotiate an end to the war, following the dialogue between Putin and Trump last Wednesday.
“This is a continuation of that initial exchange between President Trump and Putin to explore the feasibility of taking that first step, understanding the interests involved, and determining if this can be effectively managed,” stated State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce to reporters in Riyadh.
The Kremlin indicated that the discussions would encompass “the entire complex of Russian-American relations,” in addition to preparing for negotiations regarding a resolution for Ukraine and a potential meeting between the two presidents. Russia reported that Lavrov and Rubio spoke on Saturday about eliminating obstacles to trade and investment.
EUROPE SEEKS TO MAINTAIN INFLUENCE AS US AND RUSSIA ENGAGE
Former President Biden, along with allies in Kyiv and around the globe, has implemented extensive sanctions against Moscow in response to its invasion of Ukraine, with the goal of undermining Russia’s economy and military efforts. Riyadh, which is also in discussions with Washington concerning the future of the Gaza Strip, has facilitated initial communications between the Trump administration and Moscow, contributing to a prisoner exchange last week.
It remains uncertain how Europe will interact with Washington following Trump’s unexpected outreach to Putin, who has long been isolated by the West. “We align with President Trump on a ‘peace through strength’ strategy,” a European official remarked after the Paris meeting, requesting anonymity. The U.S. decision has prompted European nations to recognize the necessity of taking greater responsibility for Ukraine’s security.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who expressed readiness to deploy peacekeeping forces to Ukraine prior to the meeting, stated on Monday that a U.S. security “backstop” is essential for European nations to commit troops on the ground. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s envoy for Ukraine, announced plans to visit Ukraine starting Wednesday and was inquired about the possibility of the U.S. providing security assurances for any European peacekeepers. “I’ve been with President Trump, and the policy has always been: You take no options off the table,” he stated.
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