In a major shift in U.S. foreign policy, Russia and the United States have agreed to work towards ending the war in Ukraine and improving their diplomatic and economic relations. This agreement came after high-level talks between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday.

Key Agreements Reached

Following the discussions, Rubio outlined three main objectives:

• Restoring full staffing at embassies in Washington and Moscow.
• Forming a high-level team to support Ukraine peace negotiations.
• Exploring stronger economic cooperation between the two nations.

Lavrov confirmed that both sides agreed to engage in “regular consultations” on Ukraine, emphasizing that the talks were constructive and marked the beginning of a broader conversation.

The Absence of Ukraine in Talks

No Ukrainian officials were present at the meeting, raising concerns about Kyiv’s role in the negotiation process. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that his government would not accept any outcome since it was excluded from the talks. He also postponed a planned visit to Saudi Arabia, where the meeting took place.

Impact on U.S.-Russia Relations

Tensions between the U.S. and Russia have been at their worst in decades, particularly since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The U.S. and its allies have imposed heavy sanctions on Russia, further straining relations.

Rubio emphasized that resolving the Ukraine conflict could unlock new geopolitical and economic opportunities for both nations. “A peaceful resolution would allow us to work with Russia on global challenges and enhance economic cooperation for mutual benefit,” he stated.

Future High-Level Talks Between Trump and Putin

The meeting set the stage for a potential summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, no official date has been confirmed yet. Russian presidential adviser Yuri Ushakov and U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz indicated that further discussions would be required before finalizing a meeting date.

European Concerns Over U.S. Diplomatic Moves

European leaders have expressed concerns over the U.S.-Russia talks, fearing that Washington might sideline key allies. France called an emergency EU meeting to discuss the situation. French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that any peace agreement must include strong security guarantees for Ukraine and be negotiated with European and Ukrainian participation.

Saudi Arabia’s Role in Peace Talks

The meeting took place at the Diriyah Palace in Riyadh under the patronage of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Saudi Arabia has maintained diplomatic ties with Russia and has previously played a role in prisoner exchanges and negotiations related to the Ukraine conflict.

War Continues Despite Talks

Despite diplomatic efforts, the war in Ukraine rages on. Russian forces launched 176 drones at Ukrainian targets overnight, damaging residential buildings and injuring civilians. Ukraine’s military confirmed that most of the drones were intercepted but reported ongoing attacks in multiple regions.

As diplomatic discussions unfold, the situation remains fluid. The world watches closely to see whether these talks will lead to a meaningful resolution to the war in Ukraine and a thaw in U.S.-Russia relations.