The United States and Russia have initiated high-level talks to negotiate an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine, with discussions taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. However, Ukraine was notably absent from the initial meeting, raising concerns among Kyiv and its allies. Key officials, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, led the historic talks, agreeing to further negotiations aimed at a “sustainable and enduring” resolution to the conflict.
Tuesday’s meeting marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump, whose administration has prioritized diplomacy with Russia to bring an end to the three-year-long war. The talks follow President Trump’s return to the White House and his renewed commitment to global peacekeeping. Despite the ambitious agenda, the absence of Ukrainian representation has sparked widespread criticism, with questions about the legitimacy of any potential agreement brokered without Kyiv's involvement.
During the talks, both sides discussed pathways to end the conflict and agreed to appoint high-level diplomatic teams to facilitate ongoing negotiations. The discussions also resulted in a preliminary agreement to restore full operations at U.S. and Russian embassies, marking a small but symbolic step toward improving bilateral relations. U.S. officials emphasized the importance of ending what President Trump described as an “endless war” in Europe, while Russian representatives expressed optimism about the dialogue, calling the talks “very useful.”
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz addressed whether the U.S. would consider allowing Russia to retain control over captured Ukrainian territory. “These are issues to be discussed as we move forward,” Waltz said, emphasizing the administration’s focus on initiating the process to end the war. Secretary of State Rubio echoed this sentiment, describing the talks as the “first step of a long and difficult journey.”
Ukraine and its allies have expressed alarm over the talks, with many accusing the U.S. of sidelining key stakeholders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his stance that no decisions about Ukraine’s future should be made without Kyiv's direct involvement. “We want no one to decide anything behind our backs,” Zelenskyy told reporters, vowing not to recognize any agreements made without Ukraine's consent.
Zelenskyy postponed his planned trip to Saudi Arabia in protest, while his advisors criticized the talks as premature given ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities. Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Zelenskyy, accused the meeting of serving as a platform for Moscow’s “ultimatums.”
European leaders also voiced concerns over being excluded from the negotiations. NATO allies, including the U.K. and France, fear the talks could give Russia undue leverage and potentially fracture Western unity. French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly plans to host a second emergency summit with Ukrainian allies in Paris to address the situation. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed readiness to send British troops as part of a peacekeeping force, a move Russia strongly opposes.
The Trump administration defended its approach, emphasizing that allies are being regularly consulted. Waltz stated that President Trump had spoken directly with Zelenskyy following his surprise phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Rubio assured reporters that any final resolution would require agreement from all parties involved, insisting that the U.S. would not dictate terms without broad consensus.
Despite the criticism, U.S. officials remain optimistic about the potential for progress. Rubio highlighted the administration’s intention to resolve not only the immediate conflict but also underlying issues that could lead to future tensions. “The president wants a resolution that’s sustainable and enduring, not one that creates another conflict in a few years,” Rubio emphasized.
Both sides have agreed to hold regular follow-up meetings to continue negotiations. They also outlined plans to address irritants in U.S.-Russia relations and explore potential areas of future cooperation, including economic and geopolitical opportunities that could emerge from ending the war.
However, significant obstacles remain. Lavrov, in his post-meeting remarks, reiterated Russia’s opposition to any NATO involvement in potential peacekeeping efforts. “The presence of NATO troops under any flag is completely unacceptable,” Lavrov stated, underscoring a major point of contention that could hinder progress.
As talks move forward, the Trump administration faces mounting pressure to balance its diplomatic efforts with the concerns of Ukraine and its European allies. The evolving negotiations will likely shape the trajectory of U.S.-Russia relations and the broader geopolitical landscape.
What are your thoughts on the U.S. decision to engage in direct talks with Russia without Ukraine at the table? Do you believe this approach will lead to a lasting resolution, or does it risk undermining Kyiv and its allies? Share your perspectives in the comments below.
