Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Monday, marking the beginning of crucial discussions with Russian diplomats, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The meetings, scheduled for Tuesday, are believed to set the stage for a potential encounter between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Kremlin has indicated that the primary focus of the talks will be on revitalizing the broader spectrum of Russian-American relations, which have been strained in recent years. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for the Kremlin, noted that the agenda will also include preparations for possible negotiations aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
This diplomatic engagement comes on the heels of a phone conversation between Trump and Putin last week, where they discussed Ukraine and other pressing issues. Trump described the call as "lengthy and highly productive," while the Kremlin reported that it lasted nearly 90 minutes. This dialogue is significant as it breaks a prolonged silence between the U.S. administration and the Russian government.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed strong reservations about any peace agreements that might emerge from discussions between Washington and Moscow without Ukraine’s involvement. His stance underscores the complexities surrounding the conflict and the need for Ukraine to have a voice in any negotiations that affect its future.
As the international community watches closely, the outcomes of the Rubio-Lavrov talks could have far-reaching implications for U.S.-Russia relations and the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
