In a groundbreaking move, the United States and Russia have decided to work together to end the conflict in Ukraine and enhance their bilateral relations. This marks the first face-to-face meeting between top officials from both nations since the war began in February 2022.
Held in Riyadh, the extensive 4.5-hour talks saw Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.
🔍 Key Outcomes:
- Establishment of a consultation mechanism to normalize diplomatic missions.
- Formation of high-level teams to pave the way for ending the Ukraine conflict sustainably.
- Plans to explore future cooperation on geopolitical and economic opportunities post-conflict.
Witkoff described the talks as \"positive, upbeat, constructive,\" while Ushakov emphasized the seriousness of the discussions.
However, not everyone is on board. European leaders expressed frustration over being excluded from the dialogue, stressing that negotiations about Ukraine should not happen behind their backs. 🌍 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the talks a \"surprise\" and insisted that Ukraine must be part of any negotiations regarding the conflict.
As the wheels turn for further official exchanges, the international community watches closely to see if this thaw in US-Russia relations can lead to a lasting peace in Ukraine. 🤞
Reference(s):
U.S., Russia agree to improve ties, work on ending Ukraine conflict
cgtn.com
