High-level teams from the United States and Russia will be appointed to engage in talks aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine, with efforts underway to restore diplomatic channels, announced US Secretary of State Marco Rubio following crucial discussions that did not involve Kyiv. Addressing the media after his meeting with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Rubio emphasized that “concessions” will be necessary from “all parties” for the conflict to come to a close. The fact that the talks took place was seen as a significant win for Russia. This marked the first face-to-face meeting between top US and Russian officials since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, signaling a complete shift in policy from the Biden administration.
The US delegation, comprising Rubio, US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, hinted that this initial engagement would be followed by a series of discussions to bring an end to the war. When asked about the possibility of Russia retaining any annexed Ukrainian territory, Waltz indicated that it was a topic “to be addressed.” He stressed the importance of discussing territory and security guarantees as foundational elements for any further dialogue.
Following the talks, US President Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for rejecting any deal made in Ukraine’s absence. Trump expressed confidence in his ability to end the conflict, contrasting Zelensky’s three-year tenure and questioning why the Ukrainian leader had not resolved the situation earlier.
Russia’s demands for Ukraine to relinquish control of significant portions of its territory and abandon NATO aspirations had been previously rejected by Kyiv. With Ukraine absent from the negotiations in Riyadh, it observed from a distance as the US and Russia outlined their initial stances. The decision to commence face-to-face talks between Washington and Moscow, following a recent phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, caused concern in Ukraine and among Kyiv’s Western allies.
In response to concerns about Ukraine and Europe being sidelined, Waltz refuted the notion while Rubio emphasized that any agreement would involve Ukraine. Though the US delegation suggested Ukraine might need to relinquish territory, Rubio emphasized that all involved parties must be in agreement for the conflict to end.
In his remarks after the talks, Zelensky affirmed that Ukraine would not yield to Russia’s ultimatums, citing Russia’s unprovoked attack that forced Ukrainians to defend themselves. Zelensky postponed further comments, underscoring Ukraine’s determination to protect its sovereignty.
Planned visit to Saudi Arabia following talks on Tuesday marks end of Russia’s isolation
Russia has been excluded from global diplomacy since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Despite Russia’s drone attack on Ukraine just before the talks in Riyadh, the meeting seemed to signal an end to this isolation. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov described the meeting as “very useful,” emphasizing the importance of listening and understanding each other. Both sides agreed to reestablish diplomatic communication, with US Senator Rubio suggesting potential opportunities for cooperation if the conflict in Ukraine ends. The meeting was described as positive and constructive by Witkoff.
Russia’s demands and Zelensky’s future
Details of potential concessions between Russia and Ukraine were not disclosed during the talks. Russian Ambassador Nebenzya outlined Moscow’s key demands, including control over certain regions of Ukraine and the removal of President Zelensky. Nebenzya’s claims regarding the regions’ status and Russian occupation were contested by Ukraine and its Western allies. Russia seeks to influence Ukraine’s leadership and has expressed interest in new elections. Nebenzya also emphasized that Russia opposes NATO peacekeepers in Ukraine.
Ukraine has long maintained its stance as a demilitarized, neutral state unaffiliated with any blocs or alliances. Despite this, the country has expressed a desire to join NATO in the future, and the defense alliance has indicated that the door remains open to any nation meeting its admission criteria. On Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov declared that Russia would not permit NATO troops to act as peacekeepers in Ukraine.
However, President Trump, in response to a question that same evening, expressed his support for the idea of European peacekeeping forces being stationed in Ukraine. He stated that he would not oppose such a move and even welcomed the willingness of countries like France and the United Kingdom to contribute troops. Trump clarified that the United States would not partake in this effort due to its geographical distance.
While Senator Rubio suggested the involvement of Ukraine’s European partners in negotiations, Ambassador Nebenzya asserted that the European Union and the United Kingdom should not act as mediators in any agreement regarding Ukraine. Nebenzya criticized the EU and UK, claiming they are incapable of reaching an agreement with Russia due to what he described as a deep-seated “Russophobia.”
This report includes contributions from CNN’s Anna Chernova, Svitlana Vlasova, Christian Edwards, Lauren Kent, and Betsy Klein. To access more CNN news and newsletters, you can sign up for an account on CNN.com.
