US and Russia Conclude First Round of Ukraine War Talks in Riyadh: Positive Progress Expected

The first round of high-level negotiations between the United States and Russia regarding the ongoing Ukraine conflict has concluded in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with both sides expressing optimism about the talks. The discussions, which lasted for several hours behind closed doors, focused on crucial aspects of the war and marked a significant step toward potential conflict resolution.

According to Yuri Ushakov, assistant to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the session proved to be productive, lasting four and a half hours and addressing important issues related to the Ukraine war. Ushakov described the talks as constructive, indicating that serious and meaningful discussions took place, though the specifics of the agenda were not disclosed.

When questioned about a possible summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ushakov noted that setting a specific date for such a meeting remains uncertain. However, he confirmed that the preliminary conditions for a potential summit were discussed during the talks.

The US delegation was represented by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who participated alongside other senior US officials. On the Russian side, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov led the talks, accompanied by Yuri Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund.

The Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Minister of State Musaed Al-Aiban were also present, symbolizing Saudi Arabia’s growing influence as a mediator in global diplomacy.

Saudi Arabia’s leadership in hosting the US-Russia talks highlights the kingdom’s efforts to play an active role in international conflict resolution. According to a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the kingdom’s involvement aligns with its broader initiative to support global peace and security. The kingdom emphasized its dedication to promoting dialogue and cooperation between the US and Russia, two of the world’s most powerful nations.

The talks in Riyadh are seen as an initial step toward a lasting resolution to the Ukraine conflict. Diplomatic sources speculate that these discussions could pave the way for further negotiations, ultimately leading to a summit between Trump and Putin. This potential meeting is being closely monitored as it may set the stage for the restoration of US-Russia relations that have been deeply impacted by the Ukraine war.

During the talks, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that European Union involvement in future Ukraine negotiations would not be accepted. Russia stated that if Europe genuinely seeks peace, it should immediately cease supplying arms to Ukraine and halt any military intervention in the region.

The world remains hopeful that these Riyadh-based talks will serve as a breakthrough in the search for a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict. Diplomatic observers are eager to see whether the early stage of these negotiations can lead to significant de-escalation and pave the way for broader discussions aimed at ending the war. If successful, these talks could restore US-Russia relations and contribute to a more stable geopolitical climate in the region.