US-Russia Talks Resume in Saudi Arabia, Seeking to Mend Relations and Address Ukraine Crisis
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Nearly three years after the outbreak of the Ukraine war, the United States and Russia have resumed high-level talks in Saudi Arabia, signaling a potential thaw in diplomatic relations and efforts to address the ongoing conflict.
American Delegation:
- Marco Rubio, U.S. Senator and Senior Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
- Mike Waltz, U.S. Representative and Former Green Beret
- Steve Witkoff, U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East
Russian Delegation:
- Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister
- Yury Ushakov, Foreign Policy Advisor to President Vladimir Putin
Historical Significance:
These talks represent the first meeting between high-ranking officials from the two countries since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Notably, representatives from the European Union and Ukraine were not present.
Agenda and Objectives:
According to Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s press secretary, the primary objective of the meeting is to restore diplomatic ties between Russia and the United States. Additionally, the talks will focus on exploring potential negotiations for a resolution to the Ukraine crisis.
Possible Trump-Putin Meeting:
Peskov also indicated that the discussions would include preparations for a potential meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Putin. However, further details or confirmation of such a meeting were not provided.
Ukraine’s Response:
Ukrainian officials have expressed skepticism about the talks, emphasizing their belief that Russia is not genuinely interested in peace and seeks to use such discussions to buy time and strengthen its position.
International Reactions:
The international community has responded with mixed reactions to the resumption of talks. Some observers hope that the meeting may pave the way for a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine conflict. Others remain cautious, citing Russia’s history of violating international agreements.
Ongoing Updates:
This article will be continuously updated as more information becomes available.
