Kyiv left out as US and Russia hold in-person talks on ending Ukraine war

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.

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