Russia, US agree on key principles for resolving Ukraine conflict

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other officials, focussing on a broad range of issues, including the situation in Ukraine, with both sides expressing a commitment to resolving the conflict and addressing its root causes.

After more than four hours of talks in Saudi Arabia, the US and Russia agreed on four key principles, Rubio said on Tuesday. These include appointing a high-level team to help “negotiate and work through the end of the conflict in Ukraine” in a way that’s “acceptable to all the parties engaged,” CNN reported.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was not part of the discussions, stated that Ukraine would not “give in to Russia’s ultimatums” and emphasised that he would refuse to sign any agreement made without Ukraine’s participation.

In a post on X, the Russian Foreign Ministry wrote, “FM Sergey #Lavrov and Presidential Aide Yury #Ushakov held talks with Secretary of State @SecRubio, National Security Adviser @michaelgwaltz, and US Special Envoy to the Middle East @SteveWitkoff. The Sides agreed to establish #RussiaUS dialogue.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry in a press release on Russia-US consultations said, “The participants discussed a broad range of issues, including prospects for normalising bilateral relations. The sides agreed to appoint respective ambassadors as soon as possible, and to start consultations at the level of deputy foreign ministers to remove restrictions on activities of the diplomatic missions of the two countries.”

It added, “The sides exchanged views on the situation surrounding Ukraine and reiterated their mutual commitment to settle the conflict. The Russian side emphasised the importance of eliminating the root causes of the conflict, creating proper conditions for achieving a lasting and enduring peace, and ensuring security and legitimate interests of all countries in the region. An agreement was reached to continue joint work in this area through special envoys to be appointed in the near future.”

Both nations also agreed to resume communication channels to discuss other international issues, being mindful of Russia and the United States’ special responsibility in matters of peace and security as nuclear powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council. The interest in continuing joint work to prepare the meeting between the Russian and American presidents was confirmed.

A day earlier, Lavrov arrived in Riyadh for a meeting with representatives of the US administration.

Sharing a post on X, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote, “Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrives in Riyadh for a meeting with representatives of the US administration.”