Top U.S. and Russian diplomats met in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for their first high-level talks since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, marking a potential reset in relations between Washington and Moscow.
While both sides downplayed expectations of a breakthrough, the meeting has raised concerns in Kyiv and across Europe, particularly in light of recent U.S. overtures toward the Kremlin under President Donald Trump.
Tense Diplomatic Encounter in Riyadh
The talks, held at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, began without handshakes or official statements. A stern-faced U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sat across from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, joined by U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Lavrov was accompanied by senior Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, while Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and national security adviser Musaad bin Mohammad al-Aiban also attended as hosts.
Ukraine Left Out, Europe Alarmed
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Kyiv was not invited to the discussions, criticizing any negotiations held without Ukraine’s participation. European leaders, wary of a potential shift in U.S. policy, met in Paris on Monday for emergency talks to discuss Trump’s engagement with Moscow.
A possible summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin is also reportedly on the agenda, with Washington pushing for a swift resolution to the Ukraine conflict. Russia, in turn, views Trump’s outreach as an opportunity to secure strategic concessions.
Zelensky, speaking to Ukrainian media, expressed frustration over being sidelined. “We cannot recognize any agreements made about us without us,” he said.
Kremlin’s Stance on Ukraine and NATO
As the Riyadh meeting commenced, the Kremlin reiterated its position that a lasting settlement in Ukraine must address broader European security concerns. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov insisted that while Ukraine has the sovereign right to join the European Union, Moscow remains firmly opposed to its NATO membership.
“A lasting and viable resolution is impossible without a comprehensive discussion of security issues on the continent,” Peskov said, adding that Putin was open to talks with Zelensky “if necessary.”
China Welcomes Diplomatic Efforts
In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun welcomed the diplomatic efforts toward peace in Ukraine but stressed that all stakeholders should be involved. “This is a complex issue, and we hope that all parties can participate in constructive dialogue,” Guo stated.
Russia Pushes for Direct US Talks, Europe Excluded
Ahead of the meeting, Moscow signaled that Putin and Trump aim to move beyond “abnormal relations”, with Russia insisting that Europe has no place at the negotiating table.
Kirill Dmitriev, Russia’s economic negotiator for talks with Washington, expressed optimism about future progress. “We expect significant developments in the next two to three months,” he told Russian state television.
Meanwhile, Peskov confirmed that discussions in Riyadh were focused on restoring U.S.-Russia relations, alongside talks on Ukraine and a potential Trump-Putin summit.
Unclear Prospects for Ukraine Peace Talks
Three years after Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the likelihood of a peace agreement remains uncertain. The Biden administration previously ruled out direct negotiations with Moscow, but Trump has signaled a willingness to engage.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce cautioned against expectations of immediate progress, emphasizing that the meeting was a first step in a long process. Similarly, Russia’s Ushakov acknowledged that the talks aimed to explore how negotiations on Ukraine might begin.
Europe, Ukraine Oppose Concessions to Moscow
Both Ukraine and Russia remain unwilling to make territorial concessions, with Putin last year demanding Kyiv withdraw from even more Ukrainian territory as a precondition for talks.
Zelensky, currently in Turkey for discussions with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for further consultations.
While Zelensky recently indicated a willingness to meet Putin, he insists that any negotiations must follow a unified strategy agreed upon by Ukraine and its allies.
Saudi Arabia’s Rising Diplomatic Role
The choice of Riyadh as the meeting venue—rather than a traditional diplomatic hub like Geneva or Vienna—reflects a shift in global diplomatic dynamics.
“Europe has historically been the meeting ground for U.S.-Russia negotiations, but that’s no longer an option given the current tensions,” said James Dorsey of the National University of Singapore. “The alternatives were either Asia or Saudi Arabia.”
Moscow enters the talks bolstered by recent battlefield gains, while Kyiv faces uncertainty over continued U.S. military aid, a policy that has faced scrutiny from Trump.
As discussions unfold, the world watches to see whether Riyadh’s talks mark a genuine step toward de-escalation—or merely another round of geopolitical maneuvering.
