US and Russia Engage in Crucial Talks Amid Ukraine Conflict, Excluding Kyiv from Negotiations
The international community focused its attention on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this Tuesday, where the United States and Russia conducted their first talks since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Amid hidden strategies and promises of de-escalation, both powers are trying to find common ground to address the Ukraine conflict and improve their strained bilateral relations. However, the exclusion of Kyiv and Brussels from the negotiation table has triggered concerns in Europe, which fears potential agreements made without their input.
The US delegation included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Donald Trump's special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. On the Russian side were Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Putin's advisor Yuri Ushakov, and Kiril Dmitriev, director of the Russian sovereign fund.
After an initial two-hour discussion that began around 9:30 AM local time, the talks continued beyond the scheduled duration, indicating substantial progress on key issues. Following the lengthy negotiations, Rubio stated, "The talks have concluded. It went well. We had a very serious conversation about all the issues we wanted to address."
In addressing the normalization of relations between the two nations, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce outlined a commitment from both delegations to ensure the continuity of dialogue and a framework for future cooperation.
Key points from the discussions included: 1. Establishing a consultation mechanism to tackle contentious bilateral issues and enhance the operational capacity of diplomatic missions. 2. Designating high-level teams for negotiating a lasting and widely accepted resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. 3. Laying the groundwork for cooperation on mutual geopolitical interests and potential economic opportunities arising from a resolution.
Amidst these talks, Trump’s involvement was highlighted, with Bruce asserting that he is uniquely positioned to facilitate negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Waltz echoed this sentiment, urging the global community to appreciate Trump’s contribution to initiating a path toward peace.
A significant topic was the potential for a direct meeting between Trump and Putin to directly negotiate peace. However, Ushakov warned that more groundwork needs to be laid before any such meeting can be realized, indicating that the convergence of positions is still a distant goal.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski expressed strong discontent over the discussions, asserting, "We cannot recognize anything or any agreement about us without us." He emphasized that Ukraine must be part of all negotiations, reiterating his commitment to a personal meeting with Putin to secure peace.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged Putin's openness to negotiations with Zelenski but also noted that achieving concrete results still presents challenges.
The absence of Ukrainian representation at the talks has drawn criticism from European leaders. In response, French President Emmanuel Macron convened key leaders of the European Union, NATO, and the UK to establish a unified approach. Although opinions varied on deploying peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, there was consensus that any resolution must involve Kyiv's participation and provide necessary guarantees to avert an incomplete resolution.
Moreover, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen engaged with Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, General Keith Kellogg, to pursue a collaborative effort for achieving a just and lasting peace rooted in Ukraine's independence and sovereignty.
Discussions on Ukraine's potential accession to the EU and NATO are expected to continue, with Peskov stating that Russia does not oppose Ukraine's EU membership but stands firmly against its association with military alliances such as NATO. Notably, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated that Kyiv’s NATO membership remains unrealistic.
As the situation develops, it remains clear that addressing the Ukraine conflict is a complex task that requires the involvement of multiple stakeholders, including those whose futures are at stake.
Related Sources: