U.S. and Russia begin talks in Saudi Arabia on ending Ukraine war

Russia and the United States announced Tuesday that they are embarking on efforts to end the war in Ukraine and improve their diplomatic and economic ties. This development comes after high-level talks between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, signaling a potential turning point in relations between the two nations under President Donald Trump.

Following the meeting, Secretary Rubio outlined three key goals that were agreed upon by both sides. These included restoring staffing levels at their embassies in Washington and Moscow, establishing a high-level team to support peace talks regarding Ukraine, and exploring opportunities for closer relations and economic cooperation between the U.S. and Russia. While these discussions mark the beginning of a broader conversation, Rubio emphasized that significant work remains before concrete steps can be taken toward these goals.

Lavrov echoed Rubio’s assessment, describing the meeting as “very useful” and highlighting the importance of the diplomatic dialogue. “We not only listened, but also heard each other,” Lavrov told reporters, underscoring the potential for progress through continued engagement.

The talks also included key figures from the U.S. administration, such as National Security Adviser Michael Waltz and Special Mideast Envoy Steven Witkoff, alongside Russia’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Yuri Ushakov. Despite the high-level nature of the discussions, Ukrainian officials were notably absent, a point of contention for Kyiv, which criticized the exclusion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made it clear that Ukraine would not accept any outcomes from the talks due to their absence, and he postponed a planned trip to the Middle East.

European allies have also expressed concerns about being sidelined in the negotiations, fearing that any potential peace agreements could bypass their influence in the process.

President Trump, however, showed little patience for Ukraine’s objections. In a press conference at his Florida residence, Trump criticized Ukraine for not seeking an agreement with Russia sooner. “You should have never started it. You could have made a deal,” Trump remarked, suggesting that Ukraine’s leaders should have been more willing to make concessions before the war escalated.

As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, the talks between the U.S. and Russia represent a pivotal moment in the search for a resolution, though the outcome remains uncertain.