Photo Credit: Getty Images
In a dramatic shift in U.S.-Russia relations, senior officials from both nations concluded their first formal meeting in over three years on Tuesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov engaged in more than four hours of discussions, marking the most substantial diplomatic engagement between the two powers since January 2022.
The high-stakes meeting, which included U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz from the American side, and Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov from the Russian delegation, focused primarily on establishing a framework for Ukraine peace negotiations. This diplomatic initiative follows President Trump's recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where both leaders agreed to pursue peace talks.
State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasized the preliminary nature of these discussions, stating, "One phone call followed by one meeting is not sufficient to establish enduring peace. We must take action, and today we took an important step forward."
The Russian delegation notably included Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, who highlighted the economic implications of restored relations. According to Dmitriev, "U.S. businesses lost around $300 billion from leaving Russia," suggesting Moscow's interest in economic reconciliation alongside political dialogue.
However, the talks have raised concerns among Western allies, particularly due to Ukraine's absence from the negotiations. European leaders, meeting in Paris on Monday, expressed apprehension about any peace agreement made without Ukrainian involvement. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to meet with President Trump next week, while French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for "strong and credible security guarantees for the Ukrainians."
The Kremlin has shown willingness to engage with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, though with caveats. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Putin would talk to Zelenskyy "if necessary," but questioned the Ukrainian leader's legitimacy under martial law.
Both sides have agreed to establish separate negotiating teams to address the Ukraine conflict, according to Russian state media. The meeting also explored potential areas of bilateral cooperation, suggesting a possible dramatic realignment in U.S.-Russia relations under the Trump administration.
