US and Russia to Hold Key Talks in Riyadh Over Ukraine War

Top US and Russian officials will meet Tuesday in Riyadh for critical talks aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. This meeting, featuring US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, marks a shift from the Biden administration's approach, which avoided direct engagement with Moscow. The talks follow a recent call between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, sparking urgency among European leaders who gathered in Paris to strengthen defense and support Ukraine.

European leaders, including Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, emphasized the need for Europe to enhance defense efforts and collaborate with the US to ensure Ukraine’s security. Trump, who has pledged to end the war swiftly, is pushing for potential peace talks, though Ukraine insists no agreements can be made without its involvement.

The Riyadh meeting aims to assess Russia’s willingness to negotiate, with the Kremlin indicating broader discussions on US-Russia relations and potential trade cooperation. Trump’s administration, praised by Russia’s sovereign wealth fund head Kirill Dmitriev for its problem-solving approach, seeks to explore options for de-escalation.

Riyadh, already facilitating US-Moscow dialogues, recently brokered a prisoner swap, underscoring its diplomatic role. The meeting also raises questions about Europe’s strategy to engage with Washington, particularly after Trump’s unexpected outreach to Putin. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed willingness to deploy peacekeeping troops, contingent on US security commitments.

As Trump’s Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg prepares to visit Kyiv, the world watches closely, anticipating whether these talks will pave the way for a Trump-Putin summit and a potential resolution to the prolonged conflict.