Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov traveled to Riyadh on February 18, 2025, to meet with U.S. administration officials. Restoring U.S.-Russian relations and addressing the Ukrainian conflict are the two main objectives of the meeting.
President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov will travel with Lavrov.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the U.S. delegation, which also includes Steve Witkoff, Special Envoy to the Middle East, and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
In a conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated US President Donald Trump’s commitment to resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The two leaders also talked about the possibility of collaborating on other bilateral matters.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the The restoration of the entire complex of Russian-American relations will be the main focus of the meeting.
The “larger issue of Ukraine” will be the meeting’s more specific focus, according to State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce.
Saudi Arabia wants to strengthen its relationship with Washington and take the lead in international diplomacy.
Throughout the talks, Saudi Arabia will take an active role as a mediator.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman considers the location of these talks to be a victory.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine will not participate in the negotiations centered in Saudi Arabia or acknowledge any possible deal made without Kyiv.
On Wednesday, Zelenskyy said he would travel to Saudi Arabia on his own and would ask Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for an update on the negotiations.
