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.
Russia on demanded that NATO formally retract its 2008 commitment to grant Ukraine membership in the alliance. Moscow also dismissed any suggestion of NATO troops acting as peacekeepers, following talks with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ankara on Tuesday to discuss the Türkiye-Ukraine strategic partnership, bilateral cooperation, and regional developments.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Saudi Arabia for talks with Russian officials, aiming to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The discussions follow recent efforts by President Donald Trump to initiate peace negotiations.
France will host European leaders, including Britain's prime minister, on Monday for an emergency summit on the war in Ukraine. The hastily arranged meeting comes after U.S. officials suggested Europe would have no role in any talks on ending the conflict.
European leaders are gathering for an emergency summit on Ukraine amid concerns that U.S.-Russia negotiations could exclude the continent from key decisions
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Google on Wednesday rolled out an update for iOS that lets users search what’s on their screen with a simple gesture. The new feature, available in both the Google Chrome and Google Search apps, is similar to Android’s built-in “Circle to Search” function.
British Broadcasting corporation, BBC has suspended its local language news service in Azerbaijan.
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A Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday, injuring 18 people. Officials are investigating whether strong winds and snow played a role in the incident.
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The U.S. Senate confirmed Kash Patel as FBI director in a 51-49 vote on Thursday, placing a Trump loyalist at the helm of the agency despite concerns from Democrats over his qualifications and past remarks.
British Broadcasting corporation, BBC has suspended its local language news service in Azerbaijan.
Mae Sot, Thailand, February 20, 2025 – A group of 50 Chinese nationals, extricated from scam centres in Myanmar, crossed into Thailand on Thursday and boarded a flight home as part of a multinational effort to repatriate approximately 600 Chinese victims.
Washington, D.C., February 19, 2025 – U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Air Force One that he expects Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit the United States, though he did not provide a specific timeline for the trip.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Kash Patel as FBI director in a 51-49 vote on Thursday, placing a Trump loyalist at the helm of the agency despite concerns from Democrats over his qualifications and past remarks.
Michael G. Wilson, and Barbara Broccoli, long term producers of the British spy thriller James Bond have stepped down from their respective positions.
Google on Wednesday rolled out an update for iOS that lets users search what’s on their screen with a simple gesture. The new feature, available in both the Google Chrome and Google Search apps, is similar to Android’s built-in “Circle to Search” function.
British Broadcasting corporation, BBC has suspended its local language news service in Azerbaijan.
Mae Sot, Thailand, February 20, 2025 – A group of 50 Chinese nationals, extricated from scam centres in Myanmar, crossed into Thailand on Thursday and boarded a flight home as part of a multinational effort to repatriate approximately 600 Chinese victims.
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