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By Newsroom with Agencies
Washington, D.C. – In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, the United States and Russia have agreed to form high-level teams to negotiate ways to end the war in Ukraine “as quickly as possible,” according to a report by Sky News.
The agreement was reached during a meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. A statement from the U.S. State Department confirmed that both delegations also agreed to establish a “consultation mechanism” to address key issues affecting U.S.-Russia relations.
Among the concrete measures discussed was the normalization of diplomatic operations in Washington and Moscow, marking a potential thaw in tensions that have strained bilateral ties for years.
Following the meeting, Rubio credited former U.S. President and current Republican candidate Donald Trump for opening this channel of dialogue with Moscow. “He is the only leader in the world who could have initiated this process here today,” the U.S. Secretary of State stated.
🚨#BREAKING
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio agreed to appoint high-level teams to begin work on the Ukrainian settlement.Russian and US.
Russia and the US talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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US.-Russia 🇺🇸🇷🇺#Russia pic.twitter.com/dRYyG91cmt— 𝘾𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨 (@The_Global_X) February 18, 2025
Concerns Over Ukrainian and European Exclusion
Despite concerns that Ukraine was being sidelined—given that it was not invited to the Riyadh talks—Rubio dismissed such claims, assuring that Kyiv would be included in negotiations at an appropriate stage. He also stressed that the European Union, whose leaders have criticized the bilateral meeting between Washington and Moscow, would be involved in the process. “Any agreement must be acceptable to the United States, Russia, Ukraine, and Europe,” he emphasized.
Rubio described the meeting as “the first step in a long journey” and expressed confidence that Moscow was willing to engage in a “serious process” to achieve a “just and lasting” peace. In addition to peace negotiations, the teams will explore opportunities for economic cooperation between the two nations. While U.S. and EU sanctions on Russia remain in effect, Rubio hinted that some level of economic restoration could be beneficial if the war comes to an end.
A Crucial Moment in the Conflict
These talks come at a pivotal moment as the war in Ukraine enters its third year, with Russian forces consolidating territorial gains in the eastern regions. The initiative also unfolds against the backdrop of the upcoming U.S. presidential elections, where Trump has taken an ambiguous stance on support for Kyiv. He has argued that the U.S. should not continue sending military aid without a parallel diplomatic push for peace.
No specific dates have been announced for the next rounds of negotiations, nor have details on the composition of the negotiation teams been disclosed. However, the decision to proceed with this mechanism marks a significant shift in how global powers are approaching the conflict.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.