The U.S. and Russia held high-level talks in Riyadh, marking a significant diplomatic effort to address the ongoing war in Ukraine. While both sides acknowledged progress, a meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump is not imminent, as further negotiations are required. Ukraine remains skeptical, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticizing discussions held without Kyiv’s participation. The talks also touched on economic cooperation and diplomatic normalization, but tensions remain high as Russia continues military actions in Ukraine.
U.S.-Russia Talks Conclude in Riyadh
High-level diplomatic discussions between the United States and Russia took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The negotiations, led by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, lasted approximately 4.5 hours. According to top Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, the talks were “serious” and covered key issues related to bilateral relations and the war in Ukraine.
No Imminent Trump-Putin Summit
Despite progress in negotiations, Ushakov stated that an official meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump is unlikely to happen soon. He emphasized that “intensive work” is needed before such a summit can be arranged. Both Washington and Moscow have agreed to form high-level negotiating teams to pursue a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine conflict.
Ukraine’s Exclusion Raises Concerns
One of the most contentious aspects of the talks was the absence of Ukrainian representatives. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the discussions, stating that peace negotiations without Kyiv’s involvement are ineffective. He argued that past Russian ultimatums were rejected and questioned why Ukraine would accept them now.
U.S. Seeks an End to the Conflict
The U.S. State Department called the negotiations an “important step forward.” Spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasized that the U.S. aims to “stop the killing” and is leveraging its global influence to bring key players together. However, concerns persist over the real impact of these talks without direct Ukrainian participation.
Russia and U.S. Explore Economic Cooperation
Beyond military and diplomatic matters, discussions also covered potential economic collaborations. Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), confirmed that economic discussions took place. However, details remain unclear, especially given ongoing Western sanctions on Russia.
Diplomatic Tensions and Military Escalation
Shortly after the talks concluded, air raid alerts were issued in Kyiv, with warnings of incoming Russian ballistic missiles. This development underscores the fragile nature of negotiations and ongoing hostilities in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy visited Turkey, where he met with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and opened a newly renovated Ukrainian embassy in Ankara.
U.S. and Russia Plan Diplomatic Normalization
In addition to war-related discussions, Washington and Moscow agreed to establish a consultation mechanism to address diplomatic “irritants.” This initiative aims to normalize embassy operations and create a framework for future cooperation on geopolitical and economic matters. However, given the current state of U.S.-Russia relations, the success of this effort remains uncertain.
Conclusion
The Riyadh talks marked a significant diplomatic engagement between the U.S. and Russia, but major challenges remain. While both nations seek to de-escalate the Ukraine conflict, Ukraine’s exclusion raises serious concerns. Additionally, continued military actions by Russia further complicate peace efforts. Future negotiations will determine whether this diplomatic push leads to tangible results or remains another stalled peace effort.
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