Washington and Moscow have agreed to appoint high-level teams to negotiate a resolution to the war in Ukraine, marking the first direct talks between the superpowers since Russia’s 2022 invasion. The discussions took place on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, notably excluding Kyiv and the European Union, raising fears of a Cold War-style deal that could alter Europe’s security landscape.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed their commitment to “appoint respective high-level teams to begin working on a path to ending the conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible,” according to the U.S. State Department.
Additionally, Washington stated that both sides had agreed to “establish a consultation mechanism” to address ongoing diplomatic tensions and prepare for future cooperation. However, no concrete details were provided regarding a potential meeting between former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russia, offering fewer specifics on the outcome, confirmed that negotiators would remain in touch. “We discussed and outlined our principled positions and agreed that separate teams of negotiators will be in touch on this topic in due course,” a Kremlin statement read.
Europe on Edge Over U.S.-Russia Deal
The diplomatic breakthrough has sent ripples through Europe, where leaders are wary of Trump’s shifting stance on Russia. Many fear that Washington may make significant concessions to Moscow, reshaping European security agreements.
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Moscow has long demanded the withdrawal of NATO forces from Eastern Europe, seeing the alliance as a direct threat. “A lasting and long-term viable resolution is impossible without a comprehensive consideration of security issues on the continent,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized.
Before its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia had insisted NATO pull out from Central and Eastern Europe, a demand that has resurfaced as part of its conditions for ending the war.
Zelenskyy: ‘No Agreements About Us Without Us’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was notably absent from the Riyadh discussions. While visiting Turkey, he reiterated Ukraine’s stance: “I was not invited and will not recognize any things or any agreements about us without us.”
Despite Ukraine’s exclusion, the Kremlin signaled that Putin remains open to direct talks with Zelenskyy “if necessary.” However, Moscow has repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of Zelenskyy’s presidency, citing the expiration of his five-year term and the absence of wartime elections.
Europe Struggles to Unite
A day before the U.S.-Russia meeting, European leaders gathered in Paris for an emergency summit but failed to present a united front. The EU, still reeling from indications that the Trump administration does not perceive Russia as a significant threat, has pushed to remain involved in any peace negotiations.
“Financially and militarily, Europe has brought more to the table than anyone else,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated. “We want to partner with the U.S. to deliver a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.”
China and Global Reactions
Key Russian ally China cautiously welcomed the talks, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stating, “At the same time, we hope that all parties and stakeholders can participate.”
Meanwhile, Russia has expressed careful optimism regarding the negotiations, but firm positions remain entrenched. On the eve of the summit, the Kremlin reiterated its stance: “There cannot be even a thought on giving up territory seized from Ukraine.”
As diplomatic efforts unfold, the global community watches closely. With both superpowers signaling the beginning of a potentially lengthy negotiation process, the world awaits further details on whether this initiative will lead to a meaningful resolution or deepen geopolitical divisions.
