US and Russia Agree to Work Toward Ending Ukraine War

THE NEWS

The United States and Russia on Tuesday agreed to begin working toward ending the nearly three-year war in Ukraine.

Meeting in Riyadh, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov agreed:

• to restore embassies

• create a high-level team to support peace talks

• explore future economic cooperation.

Notably absent from the talks, however, were any Ukrainian officials, prompting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reject any resulting deal and postpone his own visit to Saudi Arabia.

TIMELINE

• 2014: Russia annexes Crimea from Ukraine, sparking the first wave of severe sanctions and diplomatic rifts with the West.

• February 24, 2022: Russia launches its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, plunging the region into the deadliest European conflict since World War II.

• Late 2023–2024: Tensions between Russia and the U.S. deepen under President Joe Biden, with reciprocal embassy expulsions and harsh economic sanctions.

• January 2025: Donald Trump takes office for a second term, signaling a shift toward possible detente with Moscow; the U.S. quietly arranges preliminary talks with Russian officials.

• Tuesday in Riyadh: Rubio, Lavrov, and top aides meet at the Diriyah Palace to discuss formal steps toward ending the war in Ukraine, restoring embassies, and setting up an economic task force.

REACTIONS

Secretary of State Marco Rubio (U.S.): Describes the meeting as a “starting conversation” with “incredible opportunities” to unlock if the war in Ukraine can be ended. Insists the U.S. will consult with Kyiv, European allies, and others.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (Russia): Calls the talks “very useful,” implying the Americans now better understand Russia’s position. Backs closer diplomatic and economic ties if peace can be reached.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Ukraine): Rejects any settlement made without Ukraine’s participation. Criticizes Trump’s suggestion that Kyiv “should have never started” the war and was responsible for not avoiding the conflict.

President Donald Trump (U.S.): Shows impatience with Ukrainian demands, saying, “They could have made a deal” to prevent the war. Stresses that Ukraine’s leaders “should have ended it three years ago.”

European Allies: Alarmed at being sidelined. French President Emmanuel Macron vows to work with “all Europeans, Americans, and Ukrainians” to ensure security guarantees for Ukraine.

Saudi Arabia: Presents itself as a mediator by hosting the talks, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman seeking a diplomatic role despite criticisms over human rights abuses and close OPEC+ ties with Russia.

WHAT’S NEXT

No date has been set for a potential Trump-Putin summit, though both sides expressed hope such a meeting could happen soon.

A dedicated team of American and Russian representatives is set to hold “regular consultations” on Ukraine, but the absence of Ukrainian and key European leaders raises doubts about the viability of any deal.