US and Russia Discuss Ukraine Peace in Riyadh Meeting
High-level talks between US and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia aimed at ending the Ukraine conflict have sparked concerns of sidelining Ukraine and its European allies. Key figures discussed peace negotiations and potential compromises, though outcomes remain uncertain.
Top US and Russian officials have convened in Saudi Arabia for the most extensive negotiations between the two countries in three years, focusing on ending the Ukraine war. The talks, held at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, lasted nearly five hours, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that the two sides agreed to form a high-level team to support Ukraine peace negotiations and explore enhanced relations and economic cooperation.
This meeting signifies a substantial shift in Washington's strategy regarding Russia, moving away from the Biden administration's previous efforts to isolate Moscow. Rubio emphasised that any resolution to the Ukraine conflict must be acceptable to all stakeholders, including Ukraine and its European allies, although Ukrainian and European officials were not present at the negotiations.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Putin's chief foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, reported that the discussions were constructive, noting that they briefly talked about the prerequisites for a potential Trump-Putin summit, despite it being unlikely to happen next week. Concerns are growing in Kyiv and Europe that Donald Trump may advocate for a settlement that favours Putin.
The Saudi talks mark the first high-level effort to negotiate an end to the conflict since the early days of the war. Both parties released measured statements after the discussions, acknowledging that this is only the initial phase of a challenging journey ahead. The conversation in Riyadh raised alarms about sidelining Ukraine and its allies from the peace process, especially as Lavrov reiterated that Russia would not concede territory during negotiations.
Additionally, Russia appears to leverage the peace discussions to seek relief from Western sanctions, indicating that Moscow's demands may mirror those issued prior to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2021. The outcomes of this dialogue remain uncertain, with European leaders coordinating to ensure their interests are not compromised as the US and Russia engage in these pivotal talks.
