The U.S. and Russia will hold more talks on ending the war in Ukraine, despite Kyiv’s exclusion and European concerns over U.S. concessions to Moscow. Russia hardened its stance, demanding NATO formally withdraw its 2008 pledge to admit Ukraine.
The meeting in Riyadh brought together U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for 4.5 hours of talks, marking the first direct U.S.-Russia negotiations on the war.
"A refusal to accept Kyiv into NATO is not enough. The alliance must formally disavow its 2008 Bucharest pledge."
– Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry
Moscow also rejected any form of NATO peacekeeping presence in Ukraine, even under alternative banners such as the European Union.
"This is unacceptable to us."
– Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister
Ukraine and European leaders fear that Trump’s administration may strike a quick deal with Russia at Ukraine’s expense.
"There must be no decision over the heads of Ukraine."
– Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor
"February 2025 shows us that the Americans no longer feel responsible for European security – and that their interests are fundamentally different from ours."
– Jana Puglierin, European Council on Foreign Relations
Both Trump and Putin have expressed interest in a direct meeting, but no date has been set. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts between Washington and Moscow will continue.
"There is high interest in lifting economic barriers," Lavrov said, referring to Western sanctions on Russia.
However, U.S. officials remain cautious, with Rubio stating:
"The European Union will have to be at the table, because they have sanctions as well."
With Ukraine excluded from initial discussions, questions remain over how negotiations will unfold. The U.S. shift in diplomacy raises concerns about the future of NATO, European security, and Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty.
China’s growing use of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles took centre stage at the Beijing Auto Show 2026, which opened on 2...
More than 1,000 firefighters are battling to contain two major wildfires in northern Japan for a fourth consecu...
Residents in central Gaza are preparing to vote in municipal elections on Saturday (25 April), marking the first ballot in the Strip since 2006. Th...
Militants have staged coordinated attacks in Mali’s capital, Bamako, and several locations across the country, the army said on Saturday (...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Azerbaijan for talks with President Ilham Aliyev, holding meetings in G...
Moscow and Tehran - comprehensive strategic partners since October 2025 - appear to share a similar approach to warfare: harsh rhetoric paired with actions that contradict their claims and ultimately undermine their own strategic interests.
The European Union is preparing its 20th round of sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine. The measures are close to being approved, after earlier delays linked to energy concerns in Slovakia and Hungary eased following repairs to the Druzhba oil pipeline.
NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte’s two-day visit to Türkiye ahead of the July NATO summit in the capital city underscores Ankara’s growing strategic importance at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
The past 24 hours of the Russia-Ukraine war have seen a drastic escalation in both aerial bombardment and frontline losses.
Argentina has reiterated its interest in resuming talks with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, a disputed archipelago in the South Atlantic, after reports that an internal Pentagon email suggested reviewing Washington’s support for the UK’s claim amid tensions over the Iran war.
Diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war are intensifying, with the White House confirming that U.S. President Donald Trump will send special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner to Islamabad for talks with Iran under Pakistani mediation.
Russian emergency services have contained a major fire at the Tuapse oil refinery on the Black Sea coast, local officials said on Thursday, ending a four-day effort after a Ukrainian drone strike.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Azerbaijan for talks with President Ilham Aliyev, holding meetings in Gabala on Saturday (25 April) during a working visit to the country.
Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV Slovenia has confirmed it will not air the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, joining a widening boycott over Israel’s participation.
More than 1,000 firefighters are battling to contain two major wildfires in northern Japan for a fourth consecutive day, as flames advance towards residential areas and force thousands to flee.
Militants have staged coordinated attacks in Mali’s capital, Bamako, and several locations across the country, the army said on Saturday (25 April), in an assault apparently involving jihadist and Tuareg-led groups.
Two men were killed after the United States carried out a missile strike on a suspected drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Friday (24 April), the military said.
Argentina has reiterated its interest in resuming talks with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, a disputed archipelago in the South Atlantic, after reports that an internal Pentagon email suggested reviewing Washington’s support for the UK’s claim amid tensions over the Iran war.
China has urged the European Union to take its concerns seriously over new cybersecurity and digital regulations, warning they could create difficulties for Chinese companies operating in Europe.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment