U.S. and Russia Hold Secretive Talks in Saudi Arabia Over Ukraine, Without Ukraine at the Table
Behind Closed Doors: How Washington and Moscow Are Negotiating Ukraine’s Future Without Kyiv at the Table
In a major diplomatic development, high-level delegations from the United States and Russia met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for direct talks regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. The meeting, which lasted over four hours, resulted in significant agreements between Washington and Moscow, but notably excluded Ukraine from the discussion.
Key Agreements from the Meeting
During the closed-door talks, both sides reached several tentative agreements aimed at reducing tensions and exploring a path forward in Ukraine:
Normalization of Diplomatic Relations – The U.S. and Russia committed to adressing issues affecting the operation of their embassies, signaling an effort to restore a degree of normal diplomatic engagement.
Formation of a U.S.-Russia Negotiation Team – A working group will be established to explore potential diplomatic solutions to the war in Ukraine, marking a shift toward direct U.S.-Russia engagement on the issue.
Exploration of Economic and Geopolitical Cooperation – While no concrete deals were made, the two sides discussed potential areas of future cooperation, depending on the resolution of the Ukraine conflict.
Ukraine and Europe Left Out of the Discussion
One of the most striking aspects of the talks was the absence of Ukrainian representatives. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already condemned the discussions, stating that no agreement concerning Ukraine should be made without Ukraine’s involvement.
European leaders have also expressed concern over the move. By engaging in direct talks with Russia while excluding Ukraine and key NATO allies, the Biden administration appears to be shifting its approach toward a bilateral negotiation model, a departure from the collective Western stance against Moscow’s invasion.
Russia’s Perspective: A Strategic Win
For Russia, this meeting represents a diplomatic victory. Engaging in direct talks with Washington allows Moscow to position itself as a negotiating power over Ukraine’s future rather than an isolated aggressor. The exclusion of Kyiv further signals that key decisions could be made without Ukrainian input, a prospect that strengthens Russia’s leverage in future negotiations.
What This Means Moving Forward
Increased Pressure on Ukraine – If the U.S. and Russia advance negotiations without Kyiv's involvement, Ukraine may face pressure to accept terms that it would otherwise reject.
European Concerns – NATO allies, particularly in Eastern Europe, are likely to demand clarity from Washington on the U.S. role in these talks and how they align with NATO’s unified stance.
Uncertain Outcomes – While the formation of a negotiation team is a step toward diplomacy, whether it leads to an actual resolution remains uncertain.
This meeting signals a new chapter in the Ukraine conflictone where direct U.S.-Russia diplomacy is at play, and Ukraine is left watching from the sidelines.