U.S. and Russia begin peace negotiations without Ukraine or the EU
High-Level Talks in Riyadh to End Ukraine War
Senior U.S. and Russian officials have started negotiations in Riyadh to improve relations and discuss an end to the war in Ukraine. The discussions mark the most significant diplomatic engagement between the two powers since the conflict began nearly three years ago.
As announced by the Kremlin, representatives from both nations met to explore diplomatic normalization and peace strategies. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov led the discussions at the Diriyah Conference Palace in Saudi Arabia. This meeting paves the way for a future summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Exclusion of Ukraine and the EU Raises Concerns
One of the most controversial aspects of the meeting is the exclusion of Ukraine and the European Union. The absence of these key players has sparked concern among European leaders, who fear their influence over the region’s future is diminishing. This is the first direct meeting between U.S. and Russian foreign ministers since Lavrov last spoke with then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken in January 2022.
European Leaders Divided Over Peacekeeping Troops
The EU faces internal divisions over its role in the post-war period. European leaders held an emergency meeting in Paris, called by French President Emmanuel Macron, to discuss potential peacekeeping efforts. However, after three hours of talks at the Élysée Palace, they failed to reach a consensus.
The debate intensified after Trump’s recent statement that the U.S. would not send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine. Instead, he insisted that European nations should take responsibility for securing the region after the war ends. While some EU leaders support this, others, particularly Poland, oppose deploying European troops on Ukrainian soil.
NATO and EU Officials Present but Unconvinced
Several high-ranking officials attended the Paris meeting, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish President Andrzej Duda, and leaders from Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President António Costa were also present.
Despite the high-profile discussions, European nations remain divided. Poland firmly rejected military deployment in Ukraine, citing national security concerns. The lack of unity within the EU could weaken its position in future negotiations.
Next Steps in the U.S.-Russia Talks
The ongoing talks in Riyadh signal a potential shift in international diplomacy. If successful, they could lead to a historic agreement between the U.S. and Russia. However, the exclusion of Ukraine and the EU raises questions about the legitimacy and fairness of the negotiations.
As discussions continue, global leaders will closely monitor developments. The outcome of these talks could reshape the balance of power in Europe and redefine diplomatic relations between the world’s leading nations.
