- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other officials in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Feb. 18, to discuss diplomatic and economic relations, including a potential path to ending the war in Ukraine. The two sides agreed to three key steps: restoring embassy staffing, forming a high-level team to support Ukraine peace talks and exploring economic cooperation.
- The U.S. and Russia excluded Ukraine from the talks, leading President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reject any agreements made without Ukraine’s participation.
- The United Arab Emirates has played a role in mediating prisoner swaps between Russia and Ukraine. The U.S. and Russia consider hosting formal peace talks at the UAE, alongside Saudi Arabia.
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other officials at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, Feb. 18. This marked the highest-level meeting between the U.S. and Russia since the Ukraine war began in 2022.
The talks aimed at restoring diplomatic relations and ending the war in Ukraine.
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What agreements were made?
The State Department said that both countries agreed to three key steps:
- Restoring embassy staffing in Washington and Moscow
- Forming a high-level team to support Ukraine peace negotiations
- Exploring economic cooperation between the U.S. and Russia
Was Ukraine involved in the talks?
The U.S. and Russia excluded Ukraine from the discussions, a decision that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly rejected.
Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine would not accept any agreements made without its participation.
Following the meeting, Zelenskyy postponed a planned visit to Saudi Arabia.
How did Trump respond?
While speaking to reporters at Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump made controversial remarks about Ukraine. He suggested that Ukraine should have ended the war sooner and implied that earlier negotiations could have prevented the conflict.
Trump has previously questioned continued U.S. military aid to Ukraine and has emphasized diplomacy over direct support.
What is the UAE’s role in diplomatic efforts?
After the meeting in Saudi Arabia, Rubio traveled to the United Arab Emirates and met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The meeting occurred at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, where Ukraine and Russia displayed military equipment despite Western sanctions on Moscow.
The UAE has played a key role in mediating prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine. Alongside Saudi Arabia, the U.S. and Russia have considered it as a potential location for formal peace talks.
Additionally, the two nations have considered Saudi Arabia a possible venue for a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This development could elevate Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s diplomatic standing.
What was discussed regarding Gaza?
During his meeting with Rubio, Sheikh Mohammed rejected a U.S. proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Jordan and Egypt. Arab nations and Western allies have widely opposed the Trump administration’s proposal.
The UAE leader emphasized that any reconstruction efforts in Gaza provide a long-term peace solution based on a two-state agreement between Israel and Palestine.
How is the UAE involved in the Ukraine conflict?
The UAE has maintained economic ties with both Russia and Ukraine. Russian investment continues to flow into Dubai’s real estate market, and daily flights between Moscow and the UAE provide a lifeline for Russian citizens, including those avoiding military conscription.
Ukrainians have also sought refuge in the Emirates, using it as a hub for financial and diplomatic activities.
What are the next diplomatic steps?
Arab leaders from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE and Qatar will meet in Riyadh to discuss alternatives to Trump’s Gaza proposal. The countries will present their recommendations at the Arab League summit in Cairo in March.
Meanwhile, U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg has arrived in Kyiv to discuss security concerns and ongoing negotiations with Zelenskyy and Ukrainian military leaders.
