Following the initial talks between US and Russian delegations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, regarding the Ukraine war, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has briefed several European counterparts on the course of the negotiations.
According to a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, a quint-format phone call took place on Tuesday, involving Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock of Germany, as well as representatives from France, the United Kingdom, Italy and the European Union’s High Representative, in addition to Rubio.
Rubio shared his assessment of the talks in Riyadh, the spokesperson said, but declined to comment on the content due to the confidential nature of the discussions.
The meeting in Saudi Arabia saw Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, presidential advisor Uschakow and the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), Kirill Dmitriev, in attendance. The US was represented by Secretary of State Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Special Envoy for the Middle East, Stephen Witkoff.
Ahead of the talks, there was criticism, particularly from Europeans and Ukraine, who fear being overlooked in bilateral negotiations between Russia and the United States on a ceasefire.