Top diplomats from the United States and Russia met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday for discussions aimed at resetting their fractured relations—the first such talks since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The meeting, held at Diriyah Palace, marks the first high-level diplomatic engagement between the two nations since US President Donald Trump took office. Despite the significance of the encounter, both sides have downplayed expectations of a major breakthrough, as tensions remain high over the ongoing war in Ukraine and broader security concerns in Europe.
Tensions and Concerns Over the Talks
The mere occurrence of the meeting has sparked concern in Ukraine and among European allies, given Washington’s recent overtures toward the Kremlin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Kyiv was not invited to the discussions and expressed strong reservations about any agreements being made without Ukraine’s direct involvement.
“We do not know anything about these talks and cannot recognize any decisions about us without us,” Zelensky stated, according to Ukrainian news agencies.
The Kremlin, meanwhile, emphasized that any lasting resolution to the war would require addressing broader European security concerns. Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it clear that while Ukraine has the sovereign right to join the European Union, Moscow remains firmly opposed to its NATO membership.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated this stance, stating, “A lasting and long-term viable resolution is impossible without a comprehensive consideration of security issues on the continent.” He added that Putin remains open to talks with Zelensky “if necessary.”
High-Stakes Meeting Amid Global Reactions
The talks began without visible handshakes or opening statements. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio led the American delegation, accompanied by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. On the Russian side, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was joined by senior presidential aide Yuri Ushakov. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and national security adviser Musaad bin Mohammad al-Aiban were also present.
In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun welcomed the diplomatic engagement, stating, “We support efforts toward peace in Ukraine and hope that all parties and stakeholders can participate in the discussions.”
Prospects for a Trump-Putin Summit
Ahead of the meeting, Moscow signaled that both Trump and Putin are interested in moving past what it described as “abnormal relations” between their countries. Russian officials have also suggested that a summit between the two leaders could be in the works.
Kirill Dmitriev, Moscow’s chief economic negotiator for talks with Washington, expressed optimism, telling Russian state TV, “We expect progress in the not-so-distant future, in the next two to three months.” He added that Russia has put forward a series of proposals that the US is currently considering.
Peskov confirmed that discussions in Riyadh would focus on restoring overall US-Russia relations, as well as the potential for negotiations on Ukraine and organizing a meeting between Trump and Putin.
European Leaders Hold Emergency Talks
The meeting in Riyadh has unsettled European leaders, who gathered in Paris for emergency security discussions on Monday. Many fear that Trump’s administration may be considering compromises that could weaken NATO’s position or fail to hold Russia accountable for its aggression in Ukraine.
Zelensky, who was in Turkey on Tuesday for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is set to travel to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. He has previously stated that he is open to meeting Putin but only after Kyiv and its allies establish a unified stance on ending the war.
Russia, however, appears determined to sideline Europe in any future negotiations. Lavrov has already dismissed the idea of European leaders participating in Ukraine talks, reinforcing Moscow’s preference for bilateral discussions with the United States.
Saudi Arabia’s Growing Diplomatic Role
The choice of Saudi Arabia as the venue for these talks highlights its increasing influence in global diplomacy. Traditionally, US-Russia negotiations have taken place in European capitals, but current geopolitical tensions have made that unfeasible.
“Europe’s the traditional meeting place for the Americans and the Russians, but that’s not an option in the current environment,” said James Dorsey, a senior fellow at the National University of Singapore. “You either go to Asia or you go to Saudi Arabia.”
Uncertain Path Forward
While the Riyadh meeting has opened a new diplomatic channel between the US and Russia, the road ahead remains uncertain. Both nations have framed Tuesday’s discussions as the beginning of a long and complex process rather than a forum for immediate resolutions.
US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce cautioned against expecting swift progress, stating, “I don’t think people should view this as something that is about details or moving forward in some kind of a negotiation.”
Similarly, Russian diplomat Ushakov emphasized that discussions were primarily focused on “how to start negotiations on Ukraine,” rather than reaching a conclusive deal.
With Russia making battlefield gains and Ukraine facing potential cuts to US military aid, the balance of power in negotiations may be shifting. However, whether the talks in Riyadh will lead to a viable pathway for peace—or merely reinforce existing geopolitical divides—remains to be seen.
