US, Russia to Hold High-Level Talks on Ukraine War and Diplomatic Ties

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in Riyadh on Tuesday to discuss ending the Ukraine war and restoring Russia-U.S. relations. Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday, with U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff joining him later. These talks precede a potential meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Lavrov and Putin’s advisor Yuri Ushakov would also attend. The discussions will cover the Ukraine conflict and broader diplomatic relations. Trump, who recently spoke with Putin, instructed officials to initiate peace negotiations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, currently in the UAE, criticized the talks, emphasizing that any decisions about Ukraine must include Kyiv.

The U.S.-Russia talks coincide with U.S.-Saudi discussions on Gaza, where Trump proposed resettling Gaza's Palestinian residents in Arab nations, prompting backlash from the Arab world. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman opposes resettlement and advocates a Gulf-led reconstruction plan, emphasizing that Saudi-Israel normalization hinges on Palestinian statehood.

Rubio, who visited Israel on Sunday, pledged U.S. support to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in countering Iran. Saudi Arabia’s mediation has been crucial in U.S.-Russia communications, including a recent prisoner swap.

As diplomatic efforts unfold, the outcomes could reshape global geopolitics, influencing the Ukraine war, Middle East peace, and U.S.-Russia ties. All eyes are on Riyadh as world leaders navigate these critical negotiations.