RIYADH — A pivotal series of diplomatic discussions commenced on Tuesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between high-ranking officials from the United States and Russia, marking a potential turning point in the protracted conflict in Ukraine. This is the first direct engagement between top representatives of the two nations since Russia launched its full-scale invasion almost three years ago, setting the stage for crucial peace talks aimed at ending the war.
The high-stakes meeting is being attended by key figures, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, alongside US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz, and special envoy Steve Witkoff. These talks are considered essential for de-escalating tensions between the two world powers, which have been embroiled in an increasingly bitter standoff since the war began in February 2022.
The recent escalation in diplomatic activity follows a highly significant phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin last Wednesday. In a move that stunned many international observers, Trump announced that both leaders had agreed to initiate negotiations immediately. This represents a dramatic shift in US policy, with Trump signaling a potential willingness to engage with Russia directly, potentially sidelining long-standing concerns such as Ukraine’s NATO membership aspirations.
In the wake of this development, US officials have expressed a more flexible stance on Ukraine’s core demands for peace, suggesting that the focus of the talks could pivot toward broader geopolitical stability rather than meeting Kyiv’s preconditions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, voiced strong objections to this approach, emphasizing that Ukraine would not accept any peace agreement forged without its active involvement. “We cannot recognize… any agreements about us without us,” Zelensky declared in a statement on Monday, underscoring the importance of Ukraine’s direct participation in any potential settlement.
The talks in Riyadh come at a time of heightened uncertainty. The Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, confirmed that the primary objective of the meeting was to “prepare for possible negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement” and to facilitate the organization of a potential summit between Presidents Putin and Trump. While Moscow expressed willingness to listen to US perspectives, Lavrov also made it clear that Europe would not be included in the negotiations, maintaining that the continent “has no place at the negotiating table.”
Lavrov’s comments reflect Russia’s uncompromising stance on territorial issues. The Russian government has repeatedly stated that it will not make any territorial concessions to Ukraine, including in the contested regions of Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and continues to control parts of eastern Ukraine and the Black Sea peninsula. These areas are seen by Kyiv as integral to its sovereignty, and the return of these territories is a fundamental demand for peace.
Ukrainian leaders have remained adamant that any peace deal would require the full withdrawal of Russian forces from all occupied territories, including Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk. The issue of Crimea, in particular, remains a sticking point, with Russia’s continued control of the peninsula a major obstacle to any resolution of the conflict. Ukrainian officials insist that a lasting peace agreement can only be reached if Moscow relinquishes control over these disputed areas and respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
In the lead-up to the talks, Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, expressed optimism about the potential for improved US-Russia relations, emphasizing that strong ties between the two nations are crucial for global stability. Dmitriev argued that only through collaboration can the US and Russia address critical international challenges, resolve global conflicts, and offer viable solutions to pressing problems. His comments suggest that Russia views the US as an essential partner in addressing broader geopolitical issues, even as both nations remain locked in their dispute over Ukraine.
Amid these developments, President Zelensky announced plans to travel to Saudi Arabia, although he was quick to clarify that his visit was not related to the ongoing Russia-US peace talks. However, the presence of other key international figures, including Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, who is scheduled to visit Kyiv later this week, signals the growing international focus on the negotiations and the broader implications for global security.
In parallel to the US-Russia talks, European leaders are closely monitoring the situation, particularly after concerns that the peace process might unfold without their involvement. French President Emmanuel Macron convened an emergency meeting with other European leaders on Monday to discuss the developments. While the leaders reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine, the summit failed to produce concrete results, such as an agreement to send peacekeeping troops to the front lines or to offer definitive security guarantees to Kyiv.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community is closely watching the unfolding negotiations in Riyadh. The outcome of these talks could have profound implications not only for the future of Ukraine but also for the broader geopolitical landscape, as the US, Russia, and Europe navigate their complex and often contentious relationships in the quest for peace and stability. The world now waits to see if this round of talks can pave the way for a lasting resolution or if the conflict will continue to drag on, further destabilizing the region.
