U.S. Secretary of State Meets Russian Foreign Minister in Riyadh: Ukraine Excluded from Discussions

In a significant diplomatic development, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 18, 2025, to discuss strategies for ending the ongoing war in Ukraine and improving bilateral relations. This meeting, facilitated by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marked the first high-level engagement between U.S. and Russian officials since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The discussions focused on three primary objectives: restoring embassy staffing in Washington and Moscow, forming high-level teams to support Ukraine peace talks, and exploring closer economic cooperation. Notably, Ukrainian officials were not present at the meeting, leading to concerns from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European allies about being excluded from the negotiations.

The exclusion of Ukraine from these talks has raised significant concerns. President Zelenskyy expressed strong objections, stating that Ukraine would not accept the results of negotiations held without its participation. He emphasized that no decision could be made without Kyiv on how to end the war and that he would always reject Putin’s "ultimatums."

European leaders also voiced apprehension. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas highlighted the importance of unity and cautioned against divisions that could be exploited by Russia. Kallas tweeted a message to Rubio: "Russia will try to divide us. Let’s not walk into their traps. By working together with the US, we can achieve a just and lasting peace – on Ukraine’s terms."

In contrast, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Ukraine's objections, suggesting that the country should have made concessions earlier to prevent the conflict. He stated, "Today I heard, ‘Oh, we weren’t invited.’ Well, you’ve been there for three years. You should have ended it three years [ago] – you should have never started it. You could have made a deal."

The meeting in Riyadh represents a significant shift in diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict. Previous attempts at negotiation have often included Ukrainian participation and have been supported by European allies. The exclusion of Ukraine from these talks marks a departure from prior diplomatic norms and has raised concerns about the potential outcomes of such negotiations.

The Riyadh meeting between U.S. and Russian officials signifies a notable development in the ongoing efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict. While the discussions have opened new avenues for potential peace, the exclusion of Ukrainian representatives and the reactions from European allies underscore the complexities and sensitivities involved in negotiating an end to the war. The outcomes of these talks could have far-reaching implications for international relations and the future of Ukraine.