U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sits next to U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi National Security Advisor Mosaad bin Mohammad Al-Aiban, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov, at Diriyah Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool
U.S. and Russia Agree to Further Talks on Ukraine War Resolution
Diplomatic Shift in U.S. Approach
The Trump administration announced on Tuesday that it had agreed to hold further negotiations with Russia regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. The discussions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marked the first direct talks between Washington and Moscow on ending the conflict. However, the exclusion of Kyiv from these initial discussions has raised concerns among Ukraine and European allies, who argue that any resolution must not be decided without Ukraine’s involvement.
- The 4.5-hour meeting saw Russia reinforce its stance against Ukraine’s NATO membership and assert new conditions for negotiations.
- U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz acknowledged that discussions on territorial adjustments and security guarantees were necessary for a lasting peace settlement.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio reassured allies that Ukraine and Europe would ultimately have a role in the process.
The decision to exclude Ukraine from the first round of talks sparked criticism from European leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who insisted that “there must be no decision over the heads of Ukraine.”
Ukraine and Europe Express Concerns
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy postponed his planned visit to Saudi Arabia, reportedly to avoid legitimizing negotiations that took place without Ukraine’s participation.
- Kyiv’s Foreign Ministry reaffirmed that no peace deal should be reached without Ukraine’s direct involvement.
- Russia’s Foreign Ministry escalated demands, insisting that NATO must formally rescind its 2008 commitment that Ukraine would eventually be allowed to join the alliance.
- Moscow also ruled out NATO peacekeepers under any capacity in Ukraine as part of a settlement.
Strategic Considerations and European Responses
The negotiations have sparked fears among Ukraine and European nations that the Trump administration may offer concessions to Moscow in a deal that could compromise Ukraine’s sovereignty and fail to prevent future Russian aggression.
- Concerns over a rushed U.S.-Russia agreement have emerged as Trump and Putin have both expressed a desire to meet.
- Jana Puglierin, a senior policy expert, noted that these developments highlight a fundamental shift in U.S. priorities, signaling that Washington no longer considers European security a top concern.
Economic and Diplomatic Implications
While Rubio emphasized that the talks remain in an early stage, discussions have already touched on economic sanctions and diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Russia.
- Russia is seeking the removal of sanctions, which have significantly impacted its economy since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
- The U.S. has not committed to lifting sanctions, stating that European involvement would be required for any decision on economic restrictions.
The meeting in Riyadh represents a major shift in U.S. diplomatic strategy, but uncertainty remains over the extent to which Ukraine and its European allies will be included in future peace negotiations.
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