Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - U.S. and Russian officials met in Riyadh on Tuesday to discuss potential paths toward ending the war in Ukraine. The meeting, which excluded Ukrainian representatives, has raised concerns about potential concessions and the sidelining of Kyiv in negotiations.
The talks, involving U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, addressed key topics including territory negotiations and security guarantees. Both sides agreed to form high-level teams to work towards ending the conflict and restoring diplomatic missions.
While U.S. officials expressed optimism about Russia's willingness to engage in a serious process, Russian officials made no mention of concessions. The meeting's outcome and its potential impact on international relations remain uncertain, with concerns raised about a potential deal that ignores Ukraine's security interests.
The meeting has positioned Saudi Arabia as a potential mediator in the conflict, highlighting its growing role in global diplomacy.