High-Level Talks between US and Russia Conclude in Riyadh
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – After four and a half hours of discussions, delegations from Russia and the United States have concluded their high-level talks in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh.
Key Outcomes
According to the US State Department, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov agreed to establish senior-level teams to immediately begin working towards a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine and promote economic cooperation. The two countries also agreed to fully staff their embassies in each other’s capitals, Rubio said.
Russian officials characterized the talks as productive. According to Russian state media, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov stated that all issues were discussed seriously. However, he noted that it was difficult to assess whether any progress had been made in narrowing the positions of the two countries. Ushakov also indicated that it would be premature to discuss a possible summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.
Further Discussions Planned
Regarding the Ukraine conflict, Ushakov said that it would be discussed "in due time." He added that the countries’ "basic positions" were clarified and that it was agreed separate negotiating teams would engage on the issue when appropriate.
Background and Purpose
The talks in Riyadh began earlier in the day with US and Russian officials discussing the Ukraine war and potential peace talks. The US delegation included Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff. Lawrov and Ushakov represented Russia.
The discussions mark the first high-level talks between the two countries since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The Ukrainian government and European representatives were not invited.
Russian and US Perspectives
Ahead of the talks, Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the primary focus would be on "restoring Russian-American relations" and exploring "possible negotiations on a Ukraine settlement." According to CNN, the US delegation also sought to ascertain if Russia was serious about its peace efforts in Ukraine.
Ukrainian and European Reactions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the talks as unproductive, emphasizing the absence of Ukrainian representatives. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the importance of a coordinated approach by Europe and the US for "a just and sustainable peace" in Ukraine.
Analysis and Implications
The outcome of the Riyadh talks suggests a willingness by both Russia and the US to engage in dialogue on the Ukraine conflict. The establishment of senior-level negotiating teams indicates a potential path towards finding a diplomatic solution. However, the lack of progress on key issues, such as a ceasefire or withdrawal of Russian troops, raises questions about the feasibility of a near-term resolution.
The talks also underscore the ongoing divisions between Russia and the West, as evidenced by the absence of Ukrainian or European representatives. It remains unclear whether the current diplomatic efforts will lead to tangible results or if they are simply a stopgap measure amidst the ongoing conflict.
