U.S. and Russian Officials Hold High-Stakes Talks in Saudi Arabia Amid Ukraine War
Top Diplomats Convene in Riyadh to Discuss Path Forward
Senior officials from the United States and Russia met in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, marking a significant diplomatic push to improve relations and negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.
Delegations led by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov gathered at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh. The meeting signals a major shift in U.S. policy, with the Trump administration seeking to end Russia’s diplomatic isolation and set the stage for a future meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Earlier this month, Trump announced a policy reversal, stating that he and Putin had agreed to begin formal negotiations on resolving the war.
Ukraine Excluded from Negotiations, Zelenskyy Rejects Outcome
Notably, Ukrainian officials were not present at the meeting, sparking concerns from Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that his country would not recognize any agreement reached without its direct participation.
Lavrov’s delegation included the Kremlin’s foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, while Rubio was accompanied by U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and National Security Adviser Musaed al-Alban joined the initial discussions but were expected to exit early.
Ushakov reiterated that the talks were strictly bilateral and would not involve Ukraine.
Shift in U.S.-Russia Relations as War Drags On
This meeting marks a turning point in diplomatic contacts between Washington and Moscow, as relations have remained at historic lows since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The last notable interaction between top U.S. and Russian officials occurred nearly two years ago, when then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken briefly spoke with Lavrov at a G-20 summit in India. In late 2022, American and Russian intelligence officials also met in Turkey amid concerns that Moscow might resort to nuclear escalationdue to battlefield setbacks.
Allies Scramble as U.S. and Russia Hold Private Talks
Washington’s sudden diplomatic push has put Ukraine and key European allies on high alert. Concerns are mounting that the U.S. and Russia could strike a deal unfavorable to Kyiv.
On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron convened an emergency meeting with European Union and U.K. officials to assess the situation.
Macron later revealed he had spoken to both Trump and Zelenskyy following the talks.
“We seek a strong and lasting peace in Ukraine,” Macron wrote on X. “Russia must end its aggression, and Ukraine must receive strong and credible security guarantees.”
Russia Seeks ‘Real Normalization’ with Washington
Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, underscored the importance of restoring U.S.-Russia ties.
“Good U.S.-Russia relations are critical for global stability,” Dmitriev told AP. “Only together can we resolve major global conflicts.”
The Saudi-owned Al Arabiya network, citing Russian sources, described Moscow’s primary goal as achieving “real normalization” with Washington.
Saudi Arabia Strengthens Diplomatic Role
Hosting these negotiations solidifies Saudi Arabia’s status as a key global diplomatic player.
The talks are being held at Diriyah Palace, located near Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter and the Ritz-Carlton hotel—notorious for the 2017 crackdown where Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman detained elites under the pretense of an anti-corruption purge.
Saudi Arabia has previously played a role in prisoner exchanges and hosted Zelenskyy during an Arab League summit in 2023. Reports suggest Zelenskyy may visit the kingdom later this week.
For Crown Prince Mohammed, who was once branded a “pariah” by Joe Biden over the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, hosting these talks helps reshape his global image.
Ukraine Under Attack as Talks Continue
While negotiations unfolded, Russia launched a fresh wave of drone attacks on Ukraine.
Kyiv’s military reported that 176 drones were fired overnight, with most being intercepted or disabled.
However, a Russian drone struck a residential building in Dolynska, Kirovohrad region, injuring a mother and her two children and prompting an evacuation of 38 apartments. Additional civilian casualties were reported in the Cherkasy region as drone debris damaged multiple residential buildings.
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