U.S.-Russia Meeting in Riyadh

On February 18, 2025, U.S. and Russian officials met at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, marking a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump. The meeting was attended by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

Main Outcomes of the Meeting

• Restoration of Diplomatic Staffing:
  • The U.S. and Russia agreed to work towards restoring their respective embassy staff in Washington and Moscow.
• Ukraine Peace Talks:
  • A high-level team will be created to support peace negotiations in Ukraine.
• Economic Cooperation:
  • Both nations aim to explore closer economic relations.

Statements and Reactions

• Marco Rubio emphasized the preliminary nature of these talks and the need for further discussions.
• Sergey Lavrov expressed optimism about the constructive dialogue and understanding of positions.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine would not accept any outcomes without its participation.
• European allies have raised concerns about being excluded from the process.

Upcoming Developments

• The talks aimed to facilitate a future summit between Presidents Trump and Putin, though no date has been set.
• Marco Rubio noted the necessity of involving the European Union in discussions, particularly regarding sanctions.
• Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov highlighted the importance of addressing European security issues for a durable settlement.