US, Russia Push Forward with Peace Talks, Excluding Ukraine
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Trump administration announced on Tuesday that it had agreed to further discussions with Russia to address the war in Ukraine after an initial meeting that notably excluded Kiev.
This move marked a shift from the previous US strategy of aligning with allies to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During the 4-1/2-hour meeting in Riyadh, Russia reinforced its stance, demanding that NATO membership for Ukraine remain off the table.
Later on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the talks and hinted at a potential meeting with Putin before the month's end.
"Russia wants to do something," Trump said in Palm Beach, Florida. He dismissed concerns about Ukraine’s exclusion from the talks, arguing Kiev should have engaged earlier. "I think I have the power to end this war," he stated.
The meeting in Riyadh marked the first direct engagement between US and Russian officials aimed at resolving the conflict, Europe’s deadliest since World War Two. Ukraine, however, has insisted it will not accept any agreement made without its input. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz echoed this sentiment, saying, "There must be no decision over the heads of Ukraine."
The talks came amid criticism from European politicians, who accused the Trump administration of making unilateral concessions to Moscow. These included ruling out NATO membership for Ukraine and casting doubt on Kiev’s ability to regain the 20% of its territory currently under Russian control.
US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz acknowledged the complexity of the discussions, stating, "There is going to be some discussion of territory and there's going to be discussion of security guarantees."
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted plans for high-level teams to begin formal talks aimed at ending the war. The US and Russia would also work to restore their respective embassies to facilitate future negotiations.
Rubio said he believed Russia was willing to engage in a "serious process" but cautioned that compromises from all sides would be necessary to achieve peace.
Russia Unyielding on Concessions
Russian officials made no mention of offering concessions during Tuesday's meeting, and US representatives refrained from claiming progress on that front, prompting skepticism about the viability of the talks.
In response to Ukrainian and European concerns, Rubio emphasized that no party was being sidelined and that any solution must be acceptable to all stakeholders. He later briefed diplomats from France, Germany, Italy, Britain, and the EU on the discussions.
No date has been set for a meeting between Trump and Putin, although both leaders have expressed interest in one.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy postponed a planned visit to Saudi Arabia, reportedly to avoid legitimizing the US-Russia talks. Kiev maintains that any peace negotiations must involve its participation.
Evelyn Farkas, a former senior Pentagon official, warned that Ukraine could reject any unfavorable agreement reached without its input. "In the worst-case scenario, Ukraine will keep fighting," she said, cautioning against underestimating the potential fallout.
Meanwhile, European nations are exploring the possibility of contributing peacekeepers to support any eventual agreement. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made it clear that Moscow would oppose the deployment of NATO troops in Ukraine under any circumstances.
"This is unacceptable to us," Lavrov stated.
Lavrov’s comments indicated that Russia would continue to press for significant concessions. The negotiations were led by seasoned Russian diplomats Sergei Lavrov and Yuri Ushakov, alongside three US officials who are relatively new to their roles.
"So far, I have seen zero evidence that Putin is willing to give one inch in order to negotiate a peace deal," former US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Economic Implications of Diplomacy
Lavrov expressed interest in lifting economic sanctions imposed by the US and its allies. Rubio acknowledged that any discussion on sanctions relief would require European involvement.
He added that an end to the conflict could pave the way for historic economic partnerships between the US and Russia.
The rapid pace of diplomacy—sparked by a phone call between Trump and Putin just six days ago—has alarmed Ukraine and European nations, who fear a hasty deal may compromise their security and embolden Moscow.
Concerns also emerged in Washington, where bipartisan Congressional support for Ukraine has resulted in billions of dollars in military aid.
"Russia has won Round One," said US Representative Jake Auchincloss, co-chair of the bipartisan House Ukraine caucus. "The Kremlin has been normalized in bilateral diplomacy that excludes Ukraine and NATO, and they gave up nothing to get that."
