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U.S. and Russia agree to normalize ties and seek Ukraine peace

By isabelle // 2025-02-20

• American and Russian officials met in Riyadh for 4.5 hours to discuss normalizing relations and the Ukraine conflict.
• Both sides agreed to restore diplomatic missions and appoint ambassadors.
• High-level teams will explore a path to resolving the Ukraine conflict, aiming for a sustainable peace.
• Economic cooperation, including the potential return of American companies, was discussed.
• The talks are seen as a positive step, though a long road to resolution remains.

In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, American and Russian officials met on Tuesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to discuss the normalization of bilateral relations and the possibility of ending the conflict in Ukraine. The meeting, which lasted nearly 4.5 hours, marked the first high-level talks between the two nations since the onset of the war in Ukraine. The Russian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and presidential aide Yury Ushakov, met with a US team headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. Both sides expressed a willingness to move forward on several key issues, including the restoration of diplomatic missions, the appointment of ambassadors, and the creation of a framework for Ukraine peace talks.

Restoring diplomatic ties

One of the primary outcomes of the meeting was the agreement to restore the normal functioning of diplomatic missions. According to Lavrov, both countries will work to remove the "artificial barriers" that have hindered their diplomatic relations, including appointing ambassadors and addressing issues such as the seizure of Russian property in the U.S. and restrictions on bank transfers.s.”

Progress on Ukraine peace talks

The U.S. and Russia also agreed to form high-level teams to explore a path to resolving the Ukraine conflict. While the sides have yet to reach a consensus on specific terms, they expressed a commitment to finding a sustainable peace agreement that is acceptable to all parties involved. Lavrov emphasized that the Russian position remains firm on Ukraine's NATO aspirations, stating that the absorption of Ukraine into the alliance would pose a direct threat to Russia's security. However, he noted that the U.S. has begun to better understand Russia's concerns, which he described as a positive step. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the need for a comprehensive approach to ending the conflict. He noted that the terms of the end to the conflict must be acceptable to all parties, including Ukraine and Russia as well as Europe.

Economic and security cooperation

The talks also touched on the potential economic and investment opportunities that could arise from an end to the war in Ukraine. Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, suggested that American companies could return to Russia, highlighting the mutual benefits of cooperation. “U.S. oil majors have done very well in Russia, and we believe that at some point they will return,” Dmitriev said. While the meeting in Riyadh is being hailed as a step in the right direction, both sides recognize that the road ahead is long and challenging. Waltz emphasized the need for a permanent end to the war, stating, “This needs to be a permanent end to the war and not a temporary end as we’ve seen in the past.” The diplomatic talks in Riyadh represent a significant shift in the relationship between the U.S. and Russia, offering a glimmer of hope for a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. While many details remain to be worked out, the willingness of both sides to engage in dialogue and explore mutual interests is a promising sign. As the high-level teams begin their work, there is a growing optimism that this war, which has exacted a heavy toll on all involved, can finally come to an end, allowing the U.S. to redirect its resources and attention to other pressing global issues. Sources for this article include: RT.com FoxNews.com TheGuardian.com

Russia Ukraine Saudi Arabia war foreign relations Marco Rubio White House big government peace talks WWIII diplomacy Sergey Lavrov Russia-Ukraine war Russia report diplomatic ties peace deal Ukraine witness