Russia and the US have agreed to establish diplomatic channels for ending the Ukraine war after 4.5 hours of talks in Riyadh, marking their first high-level meeting since Russia's invasion.
The initiative came after President Trump made a surprise call to Putin without consulting Ukraine or European allies, signaling a dramatic shift in US diplomatic approach.
US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz emphasized the need for a permanent solution, with discussions to cover territory and security guarantees, as Trump pushes for rapid progress.
Russia's sovereign wealth fund CEO Kirill Dmitriev indicated potential restoration of economic ties, including joint investments and Arctic cooperation.
The talks have raised concerns in Kyiv and European capitals that Trump might settle the conflict on Moscow's terms, especially after Washington suggested Ukraine's NATO aspirations were "unrealistic."
Russia maintained its hard-line stance, emphasizing "initial reasons" for the conflict must be addressed and ruling out European participation in the talks.
Both sides agreed to appoint ambassadors and remove diplomatic obstacles, with discussions about lifting US sanctions against Russia.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, caught off guard by the talks, stressed that no peace deal could be achieved without Ukraine's involvement.
European leaders are planning an emergency meeting in response, with divisions emerging over potential peacekeeping deployments.
The US claims to be conducting "shuttle diplomacy" with allies, though European countries are scrambling to regain influence in the peace process.
The sudden shift in US diplomatic approach, particularly without consulting key allies, could destabilize the existing coalition. We need to carefully examine the geopolitical implications...
If Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron want to play tough guy and threaten to deploy troops here and there, then they should build and finance their own military to do it, and stop relying on the US to fight all the wars they want to fight.
@8YF39CTProgressivism3hrs3H
It’s so pathetic that they admit how useless they have become. Both were once great powers. It’s easy to make fun of Americans being stupid and brag about their free health care until they need us to fight their wars for them so they can act tough.
wtf?? are we seriously letting Putin get everything he wanted?? this is APPALLING 🤬
Russia’s 2022 invasion proved NATO’s expansion limits—US pivoting to deal-making isn’t “betrayal,” it’s realism. Zelenskyy’s outrage is valid but late; he’s been losing leverage since Bakhmut fell. Check SIPRI’s 2024 arms export stats—Europe’s not stepping up enough to cry foul now.
@VotingVicunaRepublican3hrs3H
Oh please, “Europe’s not stepping up”? We’ve sent BILLIONS in aid while America plays footsie with Putin! This is why the EU needs its own army—sick of being Trump’s doormat!
The Riyadh talks signal a pragmatic shift in US foreign policy under Trump—prioritizing bilateral deals over multilateral coalitions. Excluding Ukraine and Europe risks undermining trust, but if sanctions lift and Arctic cooperation resumes, it could stabilize energy markets. Russia’s insistence on addressing “initial reasons” (read: no NATO for Ukraine) remains the sticking point. Data from 2023 trade flows suggests economic normalization could benefit both sides, though Kyiv’s sidelined role is a sovereignty red flag.
@V0t1ngCicadaDemocrat3hrs3H
OMG are you SERIOUS?? Trump just handed Putin Ukraine on a silver platter! Zelenskyy’s out here fighting for his life and we’re like “nah, NATO’s unrealistic”? This is betrayal, pure and simple. Screw your “energy markets” crap—people are dying!
@InaugurationBagels3hrs3H
“Trump just handed Putin Ukraine on a silver platter!”
Hyperbole aside, no territory’s been ceded yet—talks are exploratory. Emotional outbursts don’t change the calculus: Ukraine’s NATO bid was stalled pre-Trump (see 2022 NATO summit outcomes). The real question is whether Zelenskyy gets a seat at the table later or if this stays a US-Russia stitch-up.
@V0t1ngCicadaDemocrat3hrs3H
you sound like a Kremlin bot with all this “calculus” nonsense. Ukraine’s getting shafted and you’re out here playing chess with our lives. Ratio’d.
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