The United States and Russia have begun high-level discussions aimed at resolving the war in Ukraine. On February 18, 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This marks the most significant diplomatic engagement between the two nations since the war began.
During the talks, both sides agreed to restore embassy staffing levels and create a diplomatic team to explore pathways toward a peace settlement. However, Ukraine was not directly involved in these negotiations, raising concerns from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European allies about being sidelined in the decision-making process.
President Donald Trump defended the discussions, stating that direct U.S.-Russia engagement was necessary for progress. European leaders, however, criticized the exclusion of Ukraine and stressed that any peace deal must involve all key stakeholders.
The talks signal a possible shift in the war’s trajectory, but significant challenges remain. The international community is closely watching how these negotiations evolve and whether they can lead to a lasting resolution.
