U.S. and Russia Hold Key Talks in Riyadh Without European or Ukrainian Involvement While Discussing Ukraine Conflict and Sanctions

This week, U.S. and Russian officials gathered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to discuss a range of issues, with the Ukraine conflict taking center stage.

The meeting, which took place on February 18, involved key figures from both sides, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Ukrainian and European representatives were notably absent from the talks, prompting a range of reactions across the globe.

U.S. and Russia Present Peace Plan for Ukraine

A significant development from the Riyadh talks was the outline of a proposed peace plan for Ukraine.

According to Fox News, Russia and the U.S. suggested a three-step approach: a ceasefire, elections within Ukraine, and the finalization of an agreement.

While the White House has yet to comment on this proposal, it’s expected that a statement will be made soon.

However, the U.S. State Department made it clear that a single meeting is not enough to ensure lasting peace and emphasized that the efforts are still in their early stages.

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that the discussions between the U.S. and Russia regarding Ukraine are only just beginning.

Separate teams from both countries will now work on facilitating further negotiations to resolve the conflict.

Talks Focus on Investments, Sanctions Relief, and Diplomatic Relations

The Riyadh talks didn’t focus solely on Ukraine.

Both sides also discussed future investments, particularly in the post-conflict period following a potential peace deal.

Reuters reported that one of the concrete outcomes was an agreement to restore staffing at both the U.S. and Russian embassies.

While it wasn’t confirmed whether the U.S. embassy in Moscow would increase its personnel, the meeting laid the groundwork for future diplomatic cooperation.

Additionally, U.S. officials suggested that some Western sanctions on Russia could be lifted after a peace agreement is reached.

U.S. Secretary of State Rubio emphasized the need for compromises on both sides and mentioned that the European Union may need to reconsider its own sanctions policy once peace is established.

European and Ukrainian Leaders Excluded from the Talks

One of the most notable aspects of the meeting was the absence of Ukrainian and European representatives.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to the news by stating that Kyiv would not participate in U.S.-Russia talks, even if strongly encouraged to do so. He emphasized that Ukraine’s involvement would not be possible under such circumstances.

The negotiations, however, were not limited to Ukraine.

They also covered broader issues of U.S.-Russia relations and global security.

Zelensky’s comments suggested that neither Ukraine nor European Union nations have the same level of independence in the discussions as the U.S. and Russia do.

European Leaders React to Exclusion with Emergency Meeting

In response to the exclusion of European and Ukrainian voices, European leaders convened an emergency meeting in Paris on February 17.

The gathering, which included political leaders from Germany, the UK, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark, along with top EU officials and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, was aimed at addressing the evolving situation and discussing Europe’s role in future peace talks.

Tensions arose during the meeting, especially regarding the potential deployment of European troops to Ukraine.

Reports suggested growing divisions within the EU as the U.S.-Russia talks loomed, with some members unhappy about being left out of the process.

Political Analyst Critiques the EU Meeting

Political analyst Stanislav Tkachenko described the European leaders’ emergency meeting as largely ineffective.

He noted that while the meeting appeared to be an attempt to unify the EU’s stance toward Russia and the U.S., the absence of Ukrainian and European representatives from the Riyadh talks left many leaders feeling sidelined.

Tkachenko pointed out that this exclusion ultimately led to a lack of resolution and a failure to present a strong, unified position.

Russia Celebrates the Success of the Riyadh Talks

From Russia’s perspective, the Riyadh talks were a success.

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov expressed satisfaction with the discussions, noting that both sides engaged seriously on key issues.

While Russian officials acknowledged that a final compromise with the U.S. is still a long way off, they stressed that the meeting marked an important first step.

Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, also emphasized the respectful and equal terms under which the talks were conducted.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova mentioned that significant outcomes were achieved during the meeting, though she did not provide specific details on what those outcomes were.

In conclusion, while the talks in Riyadh were seen as a positive step toward dialogue, the absence of European and Ukrainian voices raises questions about the broader inclusivity and effectiveness of these discussions.