Riyadh – Senior officials from the United States and Russia convened in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for preliminary discussions on resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The meeting, which marks the first high-level engagement between the two nations under the current US administration, has sparked concerns in Kyiv and across Europe over the potential geopolitical shifts these talks may bring.
Diplomatic Reset in the Making?
The meeting in Riyadh comes as Washington explores new diplomatic avenues, signaling a shift from the isolation Russia has faced since its military intervention in Ukraine. European leaders, meanwhile, gathered in Paris for an emergency summit to reinforce their commitment to Ukraine, discussing increased defense spending and security assurances for Kyiv.
The Riyadh talks could pave the way for a potential summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. While both sides have tempered expectations for an immediate breakthrough, the discussions represent a significant move towards resetting strained relations between the two former Cold War rivals.
Ukraine’s Concerns Over Exclusion
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed frustration over Kyiv’s exclusion from the discussions, raising concerns that negotiations could take place without Ukraine’s direct involvement. “Any agreement concerning Ukraine must involve Ukraine,” Zelensky stated, emphasizing the need for robust and reliable security guarantees for his country.
Despite Ukraine’s exclusion from the Riyadh talks, Zelensky is actively pursuing diplomatic engagement. He is set to visit Turkey for discussions with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before traveling to Saudi Arabia later in the week. However, his office clarified that he has no scheduled meetings with the US or Russian delegations.
Trump-Putin Summit on the Horizon?
A key topic in the Riyadh discussions is the potential for a direct meeting between Trump and Putin. The US president has pushed for a swift resolution to the three-year war, while Russia sees an opportunity to secure diplomatic concessions. Moscow has long demanded that NATO scale back its military presence in Eastern Europe, a point of contention that predates the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Representing Russia in the talks are Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and senior presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, while the US delegation includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
While these discussions mark an important diplomatic step, officials from both sides have cautioned against expecting immediate progress. “This is just the beginning of a lengthy process,” a US State Department spokesperson stated, while Russia’s Ushakov described the meeting as an effort to establish the framework for future negotiations.
Geopolitical Implications
The Riyadh talks highlight Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a diplomatic mediator in global conflicts. As tensions persist between world powers, the kingdom’s ability to host such discussions underscores its influence in international affairs.
For Ukraine and its allies, the challenge remains in ensuring that any peace agreement protects Ukraine’s sovereignty while addressing broader security concerns in Europe. As diplomatic efforts continue, all eyes will be on how these high-level engagements shape the future of the war and global power dynamics.
