In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, high-ranking diplomats from Russia and the US have held talks that not only aim at restoring bilateral relations, but also pave the way for a possible summit between President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart, Donald Trump. Another focus of the negotiations is the search for a solution to the Ukraine conflict, which remains a central geopolitical issue.
The Russian delegation is led by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who receives support from Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s key foreign policy advisor, as well as Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). On the US side, the talks are attended by, among others, Foreign Minister Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.
Ukraine and the EU are not involved in the talks. Kiev has, however, clearly signalled that it will not recognize the results of the negotiations unless it is part of the discussions. According to FOX News, the US and Russia are proposing a peace plan that includes holding elections in Ukraine.
What is known so far:
Verhandlungsteams will be formed: The two sides have agreed to name special teams of negotiators to focus on the Ukraine conflict. Ushakov stated that both sides will name their representatives, with the exact composition of the Russian team still to be determined once Moscow receives the list of US officials involved. Considering interests: In reference to the talks, Ushakov said that they “are not bad” and that both sides have agreed to take into account the respective interests. It is, however, unclear to what extent the positions of Russia and the US have converged. The negotiations are still seen as a step in the right direction. Duration of the talks: The talks lasted around 4.5 hours. Russian media reported that the delegation left the Diriyah Palace after the talks were completed. Meeting between Putin and Trump: The timing of a possible meeting between Putin and Trump remains uncertain. Ushakov hinted that such a meeting is unlikely in the coming week. No place for the EU: The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Alexander Grushko, stated that the EU will not play a role in future discussions on Ukraine. Moreover, he reiterated Moscow’s rejection of the deployment of European peacekeepers, which would only lead to an escalation of the situation. Grushko called on the EU to stop its arms deliveries to Kiev if it is genuinely interested in a solution to the conflict.
The talks between Russia and the US in Riyadh come at a time when European state and government leaders have just held an emergency summit in Paris to develop a common strategy on Ukraine. Trump’s calls for immediate negotiations, which were sparked by a phone call with Putin last week, have surprised the Europeans. At their summit, European leaders announced that they will increase their defense spending and take on the responsibility for security guarantees for Ukraine. In the midst of these developments, it becomes clear that the US under Trump is taking a much more active role than under his predecessor, who had tried to largely avoid dialogue with Moscow.