Top diplomatic officials from the United States and Russia convened in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, marking the first high-profile engagement between the two nations since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, Ukraine was notably absent from the discussions, raising concerns in Kyiv and across Europe.
Both parties downplayed expectations of any major breakthrough, emphasizing that the dialogue was primarily aimed at easing tensions and redefining diplomatic engagements.
Tense Atmosphere at Diriyah Palace
The talks commenced at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh in a notably reserved manner—without handshakes or formal opening statements.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sat opposite Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, joined by US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Lavrov was accompanied by Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, alongside Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and national security adviser Musaad bin Mohammad al-Aiban.
Ukraine and Europe Voice Concerns
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that Kyiv was not invited to participate in the discussions, reinforcing his stance that no agreements concerning Ukraine should be made without its direct involvement.
Meanwhile, European leaders convened in Paris for emergency consultations in response to Washington’s latest diplomatic maneuvers toward Moscow. The Trump administration’s shift in strategy has triggered unease among Western allies, especially as speculations grow about a possible US-Russia summit.
“A durable resolution to the war in Ukraine is unattainable without addressing broader European security concerns,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov asserted, adding that while Russia acknowledges Ukraine’s right to join the European Union, it remains firmly opposed to its NATO membership.
Potential Trump-Putin Summit on the Horizon
As Washington and Moscow navigate diplomatic recalibration, discussions regarding a potential meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin remain a key agenda item.
“Both leaders are eager to move beyond the current state of abnormal relations,” a Kremlin official disclosed, underscoring Moscow’s preference for bilateral engagements over multilateral negotiations that involve European stakeholders.
Russia’s economic negotiator Kirill Dmitriev suggested that progress in US-Russia relations could materialize within months, hinting at proposals currently under discussion.
“Our counterparts are reviewing several propositions, and we anticipate significant movement soon,” Dmitriev stated.
Uncertain Future for Ukraine Talks
Despite diplomatic engagements, the likelihood of an immediate resolution to the three-year-old war in Ukraine remains uncertain.
Zelensky, who held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. However, he has repeatedly stated that he would only meet Putin after securing a unified stance with Western allies.
“A peace process cannot be dictated behind closed doors. Any settlement must be forged with Ukraine’s full participation,” Zelensky emphasized.
Meanwhile, Moscow’s recent battlefield gains and uncertainty over continued US military aid to Kyiv add further complexities to the geopolitical equation.
The symbolism of Riyadh hosting these talks—a venue once sidelined in Western diplomacy—has not gone unnoticed.
“Traditionally, high-stakes US-Russia diplomacy unfolds in Europe. But given today’s climate, that’s no longer feasible,” remarked James Dorsey of the National University of Singapore.
With power dynamics shifting and alliances being redefined, the world watches closely as Washington and Moscow chart their next moves on the geopolitical chessboard.
AFP
