The Trump administration has announced plans for further discussions with Russia regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, following an initial meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The discussions, which notably excluded Ukrainian representatives, mark a shift in Washington’s approach, moving away from efforts to rally allies against Russia.
During the 4.5-hour meeting, Russia reinforced its position, particularly its opposition to Ukraine joining NATO. Later in the day, former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the talks and indicated a potential meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin before the end of the month.
"Russia wants to do something," Trump stated in Florida, downplaying concerns over Ukraine’s absence from the negotiations. He suggested that Kyiv should have engaged in discussions earlier and asserted his belief in his ability to end the conflict.
This meeting marked the first direct U.S.-Russia discussions on resolving the war, the most devastating conflict in Europe since World War II. However, Ukraine has rejected any settlement imposed without its involvement, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz affirming that decisions should not be made without Ukraine’s participation. European politicians have also criticized Washington for conceding key points to Moscow, including ruling out Ukraine’s NATO membership and questioning the possibility of Ukraine reclaiming occupied territories.
U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz emphasized the need for a lasting resolution, acknowledging that negotiations would involve discussions on territorial disputes and security guarantees. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that high-level teams would begin the negotiation process while also working to restore diplomatic relations between Washington and Moscow. He noted that while Russia appeared willing to engage in discussions, achieving peace would require compromises from all sides.
Despite this, Russia has not signaled any willingness to make concessions. Observers remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these talks, with former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul remarking that there is no indication Putin is prepared to yield ground.
Amid concerns about being sidelined, Ukraine continues to insist on direct involvement in any peace talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy postponed a planned visit to Saudi Arabia to avoid giving legitimacy to the U.S.-Russia discussions. Officials in Kyiv maintain that any agreement must be subject to Ukraine’s approval.
European nations are also evaluating potential peacekeeping roles, though Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned against any NATO deployment in Ukraine. Lavrov further indicated Moscow’s interest in easing economic restrictions and restoring trade relations, a prospect that Rubio suggested would require European cooperation given the broad sanctions in place.
The rapid diplomatic developments, initiated by a phone call between Trump and Putin six days prior, have raised alarms in Ukraine and among European allies. There are concerns that a rushed agreement could undermine Kyiv’s security and embolden Moscow. In the U.S., bipartisan lawmakers have questioned whether Washington’s approach is weakening Ukraine’s position, given the substantial military aid approved by Congress.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Ukraine reported the destruction of a rare North Korean М-1978 Koksan howitzer, marking the first confirmed strike against such equipment in the conflict. Ukrainian forces stated that North Korean troops are present in Russia’s Kursk region, with Kyiv warning of further reinforcements from Pyongyang.
As diplomatic and military developments unfold, the international community remains wary of the implications of U.S.-Russia talks and the potential consequences for Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.