In a significant but controversial move, US and Russian diplomats have gathered in Riyadh today for talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. But there’s a major absence, Ukraine. Kyiv has made it clear that it will not accept any peace deal without a seat at the table. As the diplomatic chess game unfolds, questions loom over what impact this shift in US policy will have on Europe, particularly in light of concerns about the future of American security commitments in the Baltics.
The meeting at Riyadh’s Diriyah Palace marks a significant step in the Trump administration’s approach to re-engage with Russia after nearly three years of heightened tensions. This follows Trump’s announcement earlier this month that he had spoken directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin about initiating negotiations to bring the war to an end. The decision has caused widespread unease in Kyiv and among European allies, particularly over the possibility that US troops could be withdrawn from the Baltics, leaving the region vulnerable to further Russian aggression.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been firm in his stance: his country will not recognise any agreement made without its participation. “We cannot recognise any things or agreements about us without us,” Zelenskyy said on Monday, emphasising the importance of not negotiating with an aggressor during wartime.
As the US and Russian delegations meet in Saudi Arabia, key European powers are scrambling to ensure they aren’t sidelined in the process. An emergency meeting of European Union countries, including the UK, was held in response, to assess the potential risks of Washington and Moscow reaching an agreement that could leave Kyiv in a precarious position.
The US delegation at today’s talks includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. On the Russian side, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Affairs Adviser Yuri Ushakov are leading the discussions. These talks are seen as a follow-up to a phone call between Trump and Putin earlier this month and are expected to explore whether Moscow is genuinely serious about negotiating peace or if it is merely using diplomacy to advance its broader geopolitical aims.
For Saudi Arabia, hosting the talks is a major diplomatic move. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has long sought to position the kingdom as a key player in global peace negotiations, and this summit is part of that broader strategy. The Saudis have already played a role in prisoner negotiations and recently hosted Zelensky at an Arab League summit.
However, the kingdom’s involvement is not without its controversies, particularly given the West’s strained relationship with Prince Mohammed following the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Yet, this summit is a powerful reminder of Saudi Arabia’s growing influence on the world stage.
As the international community watches Riyadh, the path to peace remains uncertain, with Europe, the US, and Ukraine all trying to navigate a landscape that could reshape the future of global security.
