US and Russia Agree to ‘Lay the Groundwork’ for Ending Ukraine War

• Feb 18, 2025

In a significant diplomatic development, the United States and Russia have agreed to initiate efforts aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and working towards an end to the war in Ukraine. This marks the first high-level discussions on the conflict since the early months of President Vladimir Putin’s invasion.

Following four and a half hours of negotiations in Riyadh on Tuesday, the U.S. State Department announced that both nations would appoint "high-level teams" to explore solutions to the war and establish a diplomatic channel to resolve bilateral issues.

“This must be a permanent resolution to the conflict, not just a temporary ceasefire as we’ve seen in the past,” stated U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who attended the talks alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff.

Waltz emphasized that discussions would inevitably involve territorial considerations and security guarantees, describing these as fundamental aspects of the negotiation process. He also noted that Trump was “determined to move very quickly” to resolve the war.

Concerns in Kyiv and European Capitals

The Riyadh talks have sparked concerns in Kyiv and among European leaders that Trump may be inclined to settle the conflict on terms favorable to Putin. On Tuesday, Russia appeared to take a firmer stance, with its foreign ministry excluding European participation in the negotiations and demanding that NATO rescind its 2008 invitation for Ukraine to join the alliance.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, upon learning of the talks, postponed a scheduled visit to Saudi Arabia, calling the meeting a “surprise.”

The U.S. State Department, in language similar to that used by Moscow, stated that the newly established diplomatic channel would "lay the groundwork for future cooperation on matters of mutual geopolitical interest and historic economic and investment opportunities emerging from a successful resolution of the Ukraine conflict."

Restoring Diplomatic Ties

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced that both countries had agreed to expedite the appointment of ambassadors and work to remove obstacles imposed during the Biden administration. These issues include the expulsion of diplomats, the seizure of Russian property, and restrictions on banking transactions.

“Our deputies will soon arrange a meeting to evaluate the necessity of removing these barriers,” Lavrov added. Separate delegations will also be appointed specifically to discuss matters related to Ukraine.

The Path Ahead for Diplomacy

When asked about potential concessions from Moscow, Rubio stated that any agreements would result from "hard, difficult diplomacy" behind closed doors over an extended period.

“No one is being sidelined here,” he insisted, adding that European nations would eventually need to be involved due to their sanctions on Russia.

However, European leaders remain divided on their approach. At a recent summit convened to discuss the U.S.-Russia negotiations, disagreements arose over the prospect of deploying European peacekeeping forces to Ukraine. While the UK expressed willingness to send troops, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain voiced strong reservations. Russia’s foreign ministry has explicitly opposed any European peacekeeping mission.

Waltz emphasized that the U.S. had engaged in diplomatic consultations with both Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron and that Trump was scheduled to meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer next week.

“We reject the idea that our allies have not been consulted,” Waltz said.

A Historic Meeting

Tuesday’s meeting in Riyadh marked the first direct talks between U.S. and Russian officials since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In a striking moment, the Russian and U.S. flags flew side by side outside the palace where negotiations took place, a sight that would have seemed unimaginable just weeks ago.

The talks represent a dramatic shift, coming just days after Trump placed a direct call to Putin in an effort to accelerate an end to the war—reportedly without prior consultation with Ukraine or European allies.

Ukraine’s Stance

Kyiv has firmly stated that it will reject any agreement that is imposed without its involvement, while European nations are scrambling to secure their place in the negotiations.

During the Riyadh talks, Zelenskyy visited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has previously attempted to mediate in the conflict.

“We will not accept a peace deal brokered behind closed doors without Ukraine’s participation,” Zelenskyy declared. “Without Ukraine, peace cannot be achieved.”

Future Prospects

Yuri Ushakov, a senior foreign policy adviser to Putin who attended the talks alongside Lavrov, confirmed that Russia and the U.S. had agreed to "consider each other’s interests" but noted that it was “too early to tell” whether the two sides were moving closer to a resolution.

Ushakov also revealed that discussions are underway to arrange a meeting between Trump and Putin. However, he indicated that such a summit would not happen immediately, as "thorough preparatory work" is still required.

The U.S. appeared to have made significant concessions ahead of the negotiations, signaling that Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO and reclaim Russian-occupied territories were no longer viewed as "realistic" objectives in Washington’s eyes.