In a significant development, US and Russian officials have engaged in direct talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, aiming to address the ongoing war in Ukraine. This marks the first direct meeting between the two countries’ officials since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago.
Leading the discussions on the Russian side is Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio heads the American delegation. Notably, neither Ukraine nor its European allies, who are directly involved in the conflict, were invited to the meeting.
US officials emphasized that the purpose of the meeting is not to negotiate a settlement but to assess whether Russia is “genuinely” interested in halting the war. In contrast, Russia has indicated that it prioritizes normalizing relations with the United States.
Along with Lavrov, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov is also attending the talks. Ushakov, a former Russian ambassador to the United States, brings extensive experience to the table. Lavrov, who has represented Russia on the global stage for over two decades, is a key figure in the country’s diplomatic efforts.
On the US side, Secretary Rubio is joined by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and US Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and National Security Adviser Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Iban are also participating as hosts.
At the start of the meeting, reporters were given a brief opportunity to photograph the delegations. During this time, the representatives remained silent as US Special Envoy Witkoff took notes. Saudi officials are expected to offer introductory remarks before leaving the room to allow the two sides to continue their discussions.
A BBC reporter, Tom Bateman, questioned Secretary Rubio about whether the US is sidelining Ukraine and what concessions might be offered to Russia in the talks. However, Rubio declined to provide any answers to these queries.
As the meeting unfolds, the world watches closely to see whether this historic dialogue can lead to a breakthrough in resolving the conflict that has caused immense suffering in Ukraine and strained global relations.
