A dialogue between US and Russian delegations has begun in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the development in an official statement.
A Step toward renewed dialogue
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov led the discussions in what has been described as a “purely bilateral” engagement - excluding Ukrainian participation. Accompanied by national security adviser Mike Waltz and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Rubio met with Lavrov, who was joined by President Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov. Saudi officials, including Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and national security adviser Musaed al Alban, were present during the opening of the talks before bowing out early.
The dialogue comes on the heels of President Donald Trump’s recent announcement, which hinted at negotiations with President Vladimir Putin to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. However, Ukrainian leaders have expressed strong reservations; President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that any agreement reached without Kyiv’s involvement would be unacceptable.
Context amid a protracted conflict
This high-stakes encounter represents a notable expansion of U.S.-Russian contacts nearly three years into a conflict that has strained relations to historic lows. Previous interactions—such as brief talks between Lavrov and then-U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a G-20 summit in India and covert spymaster meetings in Turkey—underscore the delicate, often secretive nature of diplomacy amid heightened concerns, including Moscow’s nuclear rhetoric amid battlefield setbacks.
Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, emphasized the broader implications of a thaw in U.S.-Russian relations. “Good U.S.-Russia relations are very important for the whole world. Only jointly can Russia and the U.S. address lots of world problems, resolve global conflicts, and offer solutions,” he told the Associated Press, noting that economic cooperation would be a focal point of discussions.
Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic ascendancy
The summit is also a showcase for Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a diplomatic hub in the Middle East. Hosted at Diriyah Palace—a venue steeped in regional history and situated near Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter—the meeting reflects Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s strategic ambition to place the kingdom at the center of global negotiations. Past initiatives, including prisoner exchanges and hosting Ukrainian President Zelenskyy at an Arab League summit in 2023, have bolstered Riyadh’s international standing. For the Crown Prince, this event also helps counter lingering criticisms over past controversies, such as the 2018 Jamal Khashoggi incident.
Implications for the future
As the U.S. and Russia attempt to navigate a path toward de-escalation in Ukraine, the exclusion of Ukrainian voices remains a critical point of contention. The outcome of these talks could set the stage for a high-level meeting between President Trump and President Putin, potentially reshaping the diplomatic landscape. Meanwhile, European allies are mobilizing—France recently convened an emergency meeting with EU nations and the U.K. to discuss their collective response, amid fears that any deal reached without Ukraine’s consent might undermine international efforts to resolve the conflict.
While details of the discussions remain closely guarded, the Riyadh meeting underscores a moment of cautious optimism that renewed dialogue could eventually lead to tangible steps toward ending the war. The global community now watches as this new chapter in U.S.-Russian relations unfolds, with significant implications for regional and international stability.
The Kremlin backed U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that Russia’s expulsion from the G8 in 2014 was a mistake but dismissed the relevance of the current G7, calling it “rather useless.”
A major wave of Russian drones and missiles struck Kyiv early Tuesday, killing 16 people, including a U.S. citizen, and injuring dozens as the capital faced one of the largest attacks since the war began.
A Russian drone attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, has left at least three people dead and at least 64 others injured, including five children. The nine-minute strike on Tuesday involved 17 drones and caused fires and significant damage to residential and public areas in the city.
Proliferating conflict zones are an increasing burden on airline operations and profitability, executives say, as carriers grapple with missiles and drones, airspace closures, location spoofing and the shoot-down of another passenger flight.
As Germany considers providing long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, military experts warn the move could enable Kyiv to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, including Moscow — a shift that could escalate tensions and draw NATO closer to direct confrontation.
South Korea and NATO have agreed to set up a new consultative body focused on defence industry cooperation, aiming to deepen collaboration through joint development and procurement initiatives.
The European Commission has proposed a new EU Space Act to create a unified and competitive single market for space services and data, in a move to strengthen Europe’s position in the rapidly growing global space sector.
The World Bank has approved over $1 billion in new funding to support rebuilding efforts and infrastructure development in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.
U.S. chipmaker Nvidia has reclaimed its title as the world’s most valuable company after its shares surged to a record high.
A Japanese space company has blamed a malfunctioning laser range finder for the crash of its moon lander earlier this month, marking the second failed lunar landing attempt for ispace in just over two years.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
South Korea and NATO have agreed to set up a new consultative body focused on defence industry cooperation, aiming to deepen collaboration through joint development and procurement initiatives.
The World Bank has approved over $1 billion in new funding to support rebuilding efforts and infrastructure development in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.
U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial be cancelled, calling the case a “witch hunt” and suggesting Netanyahu should be pardoned.
The fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel held for a second day on Wednesday, as U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that American and Iranian officials are expected to engage in talks next week—marking a possible diplomatic shift after nearly two weeks of regional warfare.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday called on the European Union to strengthen trust and cooperation with China, saying the two sides should focus on mutual success rather than rivalry.
South Korea and NATO have agreed to set up a new consultative body focused on defence industry cooperation, aiming to deepen collaboration through joint development and procurement initiatives.
The European Commission has proposed a new EU Space Act to create a unified and competitive single market for space services and data, in a move to strengthen Europe’s position in the rapidly growing global space sector.
The World Bank has approved over $1 billion in new funding to support rebuilding efforts and infrastructure development in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.
U.S. chipmaker Nvidia has reclaimed its title as the world’s most valuable company after its shares surged to a record high.
A Japanese space company has blamed a malfunctioning laser range finder for the crash of its moon lander earlier this month, marking the second failed lunar landing attempt for ispace in just over two years.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment