High-Stakes Russia-US Talks Set for Riyadh Amid Concerns from Europe

SASaudi Arabia|

In a significant diplomatic move, top diplomats from Russia and the United States are scheduled to meet in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine, a meeting that marks the first of its kind since the conflict began in February 2022. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and President Vladimir Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov will engage with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, among others. However, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has not been invited, raising alarm among European leaders, according to reports.

Zelensky is planning to visit Saudi Arabia shortly after the Russia-US meeting. He has indicated that Kyiv "cannot recognise any agreements" made about them without their involvement, as stated by his spokesperson, Sergiy Nykyforov. The Kremlin has characterized the forthcoming discussions as an effort to mend US-Russia relations, which have deteriorated significantly due to the ongoing conflict.

In response to Washington's shift in policy towards Moscow, European leaders convened in Paris to address their concerns, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressing a readiness to contribute military support if necessary.

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