Rubio makes progress with Russia after Trump promised to bring end to war in Ukraine

A New Chapter in U.S.-Russia Diplomacy: Steps Toward Peace in Ukraine

The United States and Russia took significant steps toward improving diplomatic relations on Tuesday, following a high-profile meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Saudi Arabia. The talks, which lasted 4.5 hours, were aimed at exploring ways to bring an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Rubio emphasized the importance of reestablishing the functionality of U.S. and Russian diplomatic missions in Washington and Moscow. "For us to be able to continue to move down this road, we need to have diplomatic facilities that are operating and functioning normally," Rubio stated. This move is seen as a critical first step in laying the groundwork for further cooperation between the two nations.

Rebuilding Diplomatic Foundations

The U.S. has outlined a series of steps to strengthen ties with Russia, with the immediate focus on restoring the operational capacity of diplomatic missions in both countries. Rubio highlighted the need for functional embassies and consulates to facilitate ongoing negotiations and ensure that communication channels remain open. Beyond this, the U.S. plans to establish a high-level team to negotiate the end of the war in Ukraine. While Rubio did not specify whether this team would be led by Lt. General Keith Kellogg, the special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, the move signals a concerted effort to involve multiple stakeholders in the peace process. Additionally, the Trump administration is exploring ways to expand geopolitical and economic relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin, though the specifics of such efforts remain unclear.

The Path to Peace in Ukraine

A key topic of discussion during the meeting was the potential for a peace plan to end the war in Ukraine. Rubio acknowledged that the road to peace would require careful negotiation and coordination, particularly with European allies. However, he did not provide details on whether the U.S. would agree to lift sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Rubio noted that at some point, the European Union (EU) would need to be involved in the negotiations, given the stringent sanctions it has also imposed on Russia. This statement comes amid growing concerns about the EU’s role in the peace process, as the Trump administration increasingly engages with Moscow.

European Concerns and the Role of the EU

The involvement of the EU in negotiations has become a point of contention, with European leaders expressing concerns about being sidelined in the U.S.-Russia talks. Reporters questioned Lt. General Keith Kellogg about the EU’s potential role following the Munich Security Conference, but Kellogg declined to confirm whether an EU representative would be officially included in future negotiations. Rubio, however, sought to alleviate these concerns, stating, "No one is being sidelined here." He emphasized that President Trump is uniquely positioned to initiate a process that could end the conflict, with the potential to yield positive outcomes for the U.S., Europe, Ukraine, and the world at large.

Ukraine’s Stance on Peace Talks

Despite the progress made in Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made it clear that his government will not accept any ceasefire negotiations that are not coordinated with Kyiv. Zelenskyy canceled a planned trip to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, reportedly to counter the "legitimacy" of the U.S.-Russia talks, which were held without Ukrainian representation. In a statement following a meeting with Turkish President Recep Erdoğan, Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine and Europe must be involved in all discussions related to the conflict and the development of security guarantees. He stressed that decisions about the future of the region cannot be made without the active participation of Kyiv and its European allies.

The Way Forward

The meeting in Saudi Arabia concluded with an agreement that the five officials involved—Rubio, Lavrov, Trump’s national security advisor Michael Waltz, special Mideast envoy Steven Witkoff, and Putin’s foreign affairs advisor Yuri Ushakov—would remain "engaged" to ensure negotiations continue in a productive manner. However, the offices of President Zelenskyy and the EU did not immediately respond to questions about their reactions to the meeting. Kellogg’s team confirmed that he plans to meet with Zelenskyy during an upcoming trip to Kyiv, a move that could help address concerns about Ukraine’s involvement in the peace process. European leaders, meanwhile, are reportedly considering a second emergency Ukraine summit to discuss the conflict and regional security. As the situation continues to evolve, the success of these diplomatic efforts will depend on the ability of all parties to work together toward a common goal: ending the war in Ukraine and fostering stability in the region.