US, Russia Initiate Dialogue in Saudi Arabia Aimed at De-escalation, Improved Relations
High-level delegations from the United States and Russia convened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday to commence talks focused on improving bilateral relations and exploring pathways toward resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, The Associated Press reports.
The meeting, held at the Diriyah Palace, marks a significant step toward renewed engagement between Washington and Moscow.
The US delegation was led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accompanied by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov headed the Russian delegation, joined by Kremlin foreign affairs advisor Yuri Ushakov. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and National Security Advisor Musaed al Alban were present at the start of the talks, underscoring the kingdom’s commitment to facilitating diplomatic solutions.
According to the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya, the Russian delegation emphasized Moscow’s priority as achieving “real normalization with Washington.”
Discussions are “purely bilateral,” as stated by Ushakov, excluding direct participation from Ukrainian officials, the initiation of dialogue is seen as a positive development towards finding a potential resolution to the conflict.
Saudi Arabia’s role as host underscores its growing importance as a facilitator of international diplomacy. The kingdom has previously played a role in prisoner negotiations and has hosted Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky for an Arab League summit. This initiative aligns with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s long-term goal of positioning Saudi Arabia as a central player in global diplomatic efforts, as noted by Mishari al-Dhaidi in Asharq Al Awsat, highlighting the kingdom’s “positive influence for the benefit of the people.”
While the renewed engagement between the US and Russia has prompted discussions among allies, the initiation of dialogue is widely viewed as a critical step toward de-escalation and the potential for a more stable international environment. French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly spoke with both Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss developments from the meeting.
