The United States and Russia have commenced high-level ceasefire negotiations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking a significant moment in diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. The discussions, held at Diriyah Palace, represent the first official engagement between the two powers since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago.
Led by United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the talks have notably excluded both Ukrainian and European representatives, signaling a strategic shift under U.S. President Donald Trump. The meeting, which lasted over four hours, focused primarily on establishing a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, allowing the free movement of commercial shipping and laying the groundwork for broader peace negotiations.
Following the discussions, Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov described the talks as “serious” and confirmed that negotiating teams from both sides would remain in contact. A United States statement acknowledged that while the meeting was a step toward peace, a single engagement was insufficient to resolve the conflict.
Potential Trump-Putin Summit Looms as Russia and US Rebuild Ties
A key outcome of the talks is the potential for a direct meeting between United States President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin later this month. While no date has been confirmed, Kremlin officials suggested that the idea was discussed during the negotiations.
Al Jazeera’s Moscow correspondent, Yulia Shapovalova, reported that both sides acknowledged the necessity of regular diplomatic engagements on a wide range of issues, including arms control, economic relations, and the broader European security landscape. The United States and Russia reportedly agreed to address “irritants” in their relationship and designate teams to negotiate an end to the Ukraine conflict.
However, analysts remain divided on whether Trump’s approach to diplomacy—centered on reducing United States commitments to Ukraine—will ultimately lead to peace or embolden Moscow. Trump has previously suggested that Ukraine may need to cede territory, a position that contradicts Kyiv’s firm stance on retaining its sovereign lands.
Ukraine Reacts with Skepticism, Demands Security Guarantees
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has voiced strong opposition to the Riyadh talks, emphasizing that any agreement reached without Ukraine’s involvement is unacceptable. Speaking to reporters, Zelenskyy insisted that Kyiv must be part of any negotiations and demanded concrete security guarantees from both the U.S. and Europe.
“We will never, under any circumstances, recognize our temporarily occupied territories as part of Russia,” Zelenskyy declared. “They are part of Ukraine.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, meanwhile, maintained that Putin is serious about negotiations but stressed that any long-term settlement must address broader security issues in Europe. Russia has made it clear that it expects NATO to formally abandon its 2008 promise that Ukraine would one day become a member of the alliance.
With United States support for Ukraine becoming increasingly uncertain, there are growing concerns that Kyiv could be forced into an unfavorable settlement, particularly as Russian forces continue to make incremental gains on the battlefield.
Intensified Russian Drone Attacks Deepen Ukraine’s Crisis
Even as ceasefire negotiations took place in Saudi Arabia, Russian forces escalated their military campaign against Ukraine. A massive drone offensive targeted multiple regions, including Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Odesa, and Donetsk, in one of the largest aerial assaults in months.
Ukraine’s military reported that it intercepted 122 out of 176 incoming drones, but several managed to breach air defenses, causing significant damage and casualties. In Kyiv, a drone strike killed three civilians, including a five-year-old girl, underscoring the relentless nature of the war.
Beyond Kyiv, drone debris set multiple apartment buildings ablaze in the Cherkasy region, while infrastructure in Odesa was also hit. Ukrainian officials described the assault as a “deliberate attempt to pressure negotiations” and a sign that Russia is not genuinely interested in peace.
Global Reactions and Uncertain Path Forward
The Riyadh talks have sparked mixed reactions from global leaders. European Union officials expressed concern over the exclusion of Ukraine and warned against any settlement that undermines Ukrainian sovereignty. NATO allies have also reiterated their commitment to Ukraine, with some nations considering additional military aid to counter Russian advances.
The Kremlin, however, remains hopeful about progress on broader United States-Russia relations. Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, hinted at upcoming economic agreements between Moscow and Washington, suggesting that negotiations could yield results beyond just the Ukraine conflict.
As diplomatic discussions continue, the path to peace remains uncertain. With Trump and Putin potentially meeting in the near future, the world watches closely to see whether these negotiations will bring an end to the war—or set the stage for a controversial compromise.
