US & Russia Hold Crucial Talks in Saudi Arabia on Ukraine Conflict and Restoring Relations
Dmitriev Highlights $300 Billion Loss for U.S. Firms in Russia, Stresses Economic Cooperation
ISLAMABAD: U.S. and Russian officials are meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for what could be the most significant talks yet between the two nations since the Cold War. The discussions will focus on finding a way to end the ongoing war in Ukraine and to explore avenues for restoring strained U.S.-Russian relations.
The U.S. delegation, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, will meet with Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov. Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, may also join the talks, particularly to address economic matters.
The primary goal of the talks is to discuss the potential for a ceasefire in Ukraine, as well as the broader implications for U.S.-Russia relations. The summit is seen as a precursor to a potential meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has stressed that the outcome of these talks will not affect Moscow’s relationship with Iran, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reaffirming Russia’s commitment to supporting Tehran on nuclear issues.
However, Ukraine has made it clear that it will not accept any peace agreements made without its direct involvement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, speaking at a security conference in Munich, emphasized that any deal reached behind Ukraine’s back would be unacceptable.
Meanwhile, European leaders gathered in Paris for an emergency summit, expressing concerns over the U.S.-Russia talks. The European Union warned against a ceasefire without a peace agreement, underscoring the need for a comprehensive resolution. The leaders also committed to providing security guarantees to Ukraine, while ensuring continued cooperation with the United States.
Read More: U.S. and Russian Officials to Meet in Saudi Arabia for Ukraine Peace Talks
Dmitriev, who previously worked as a banker at Goldman Sachs and has deep ties with U.S. business, emphasized that U.S. companies had lost around $300 billion by leaving Russia. He suggested that economic cooperation would be crucial in any potential future agreement between the two nations.
As the situation evolves, the world watches closely to see how these high-level discussions will impact the future of Ukraine, U.S.-Russia relations, and global security.
