US, Russian Officials Meet in Saudi Arabia to Discuss Ukraine War
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Top officials from the United States and Russia convened in Riyadh on Tuesday to explore options for ending the ongoing war in Ukraine. The meeting, held without the participation of Ukrainian representatives, comes as Europe grapples with the rapid evolution of events in the region.
Background
The talks follow a significant phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, during which Trump reportedly reversed key US positions on the conflict. This meeting could potentially pave the way for a summit between the two leaders as early as next week. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has expressed concern, stating that his country will not recognize any agreements made without its involvement.
Participants
The meeting in Riyadh included White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and Kremlin foreign-policy aide Yuri Ushakov. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan also attended.
Objectives
According to State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, the meeting aims to determine if Russia is "serious" about ending the war in Ukraine and aligning with the US. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, in comments to state television, stated that the meeting would focus on preparing for potential negotiations and a presidential summit.
Economic Implications
Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, is expected to join the talks to address economic issues. Dmitriev has noted that US firms have lost $300 billion following their withdrawal from the Russian market since the start of the war.
US Policy Shift
President Trump has departed from the policy of his predecessor, Joe Biden, which prioritized engagement with Russia only in coordination with Ukraine. Trump has also reversed previous US positions on Ukraine's territorial integrity and ambitions to join NATO.
European Reactions
European leaders have expressed concern over the speed at which the US and Russia are progressing talks without Ukrainian representation. US officials have clarified that the current discussions are exploratory and not formal negotiations.
European Defense Commitments
The talks in Riyadh have highlighted divisions within Europe. While UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated willingness to deploy peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, Polish Premier Donald Tusk ruled out sending troops. Tusk emphasized the need for Europe to enhance its defenses, especially along its eastern flank facing Russia.