RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Top diplomatic envoys from the United States and Russia convened for unannounced talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 18, 2025, in a high-stakes meeting aimed at addressing potential pathways to de-escalate the conflict in Ukraine and charting a course for improved bilateral relations between Washington and Moscow.
The delegations were led by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The discussions, held behind closed doors in the Saudi capital, represent the most significant face-to-face engagement between senior American and Russian officials since early 2022, preceding Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Key Discussions and Absence of Key Allies
The primary focus of the extensive talks centered on exploring “potential ways to end the war in Ukraine,” according to sources familiar with the discussions. Beyond the immediate conflict, the agenda also included broader efforts to “improve relations between Washington and Moscow,” which have plummeted to post-Cold War lows.
Notably, representatives from Ukraine and European nations, key parties and stakeholders in the ongoing conflict, were conspicuously absent from the meeting. Their non-inclusion immediately drew sharp reactions, particularly from Kyiv.
Ukraine’s Strong Reaction
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vocally opposed the notion of peace negotiations occurring without direct Ukrainian participation. He asserted that his government “would not recognize any peace deal negotiated without Ukraine” and emphasized the principle that nothing about Ukraine should be discussed without Ukraine.
In a direct response to the Riyadh meeting and the exclusion of Ukrainian officials, President Zelensky subsequently cancelled a planned diplomatic trip to Saudi Arabia. This decision was intended to avoid any appearance of tacit endorsement or participation in talks from which Ukraine was excluded.
First Direct Engagement Since Early 2022
Lasting approximately four and a half to five hours, the engagement between Secretary Rubio and Minister Lavrov marked the first official, in-person meeting between top U.S. and Russian diplomats since the period leading up to February 2022. The meeting followed a recent direct call between U.S. President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling a potential, albeit tentative, shift towards renewed dialogue channels at various levels.
The choice of Riyadh as the venue for these sensitive discussions underscores Saudi Arabia’s increasing diplomatic role on the global stage, particularly its willingness to host talks perceived as difficult or sensitive by traditional diplomatic hubs.
Agreed Outcomes and Path Forward
Despite the complex and fraught nature of the relationship and the challenging topics discussed, sources indicated that both sides reportedly reached preliminary agreements on several fronts. These included a commitment to “begin working on a path toward ending the conflict” in Ukraine – a significant, though aspirational, outcome.
Furthermore, the diplomats reportedly agreed to take steps to “normalize diplomatic missions” between the two countries, potentially signaling an intent to restore some level of operational capacity to embassies and consular services. They also agreed to “appoint teams for war negotiations,” suggesting a structural approach to future discussions specifically focused on conflict resolution mechanisms.
Finally, the talks concluded with an apparent agreement to “establish mechanisms for future cooperation and regular consultations,” indicating a mutual recognition of the need to maintain channels of communication, however limited, to manage tensions and potentially address areas of mutual concern beyond the immediate conflict.
While the details of these agreements remain sparse and the path to genuine de-escalation or improved relations is fraught with significant obstacles, the February 18, 2025 meeting in Riyadh represents a rare moment of high-level direct engagement between the United States and Russia amidst one of the most challenging periods in their post-Cold War history. The outcomes, though initial, suggest a cautious willingness on both sides to explore diplomatic off-ramps, even as the conflict in Ukraine continues and key affected parties remain outside the direct negotiating room.
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