US-Russia Talks Signal Cooperation, End to Ukraine Conflict
Senior officials from the US and Russia held initial discussions on the Ukraine conflict, marking a potential shift in relations between the two countries.
During the meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the delegations agreed to establish high-level teams to work towards a sustainable and enduring solution to the conflict. The US also indicated the possibility of easing sanctions imposed on Russia.
Despite the preliminary nature of the talks, they suggest that the US aims to prioritize cooperation with Russia's President Vladimir Putin, as per President Donald Trump's desire.
The outcome was hailed as a success by Russian leaders, while Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed concern over being excluded from the meeting.
The US approach has raised concerns among European nations and Ukrainian officials, who fear that the conflict could be resolved without their full involvement.
Experts have noted that the Trump administration's willingness to offer concessions to Russia may undermine Ukraine's interests.
Despite the ongoing conflict, the two sides agreed to lay the groundwork for future cooperation on geopolitical matters. They also discussed the possibility of increasing embassy staffing levels, erasing a key point of leverage for the US.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the US delegation, expressed optimism that Russia is committed to a serious process on Ukraine.
Following Trump's landmark phone call with Putin last week, the talks signal a significant shift in US policy towards the conflict. Trump emphasized his determination to secure a permanent settlement in Ukraine "very quickly."