US-Russia talks on Ukraine war: Marco Rubio to Sergei Lavrov, here are the people who were present in Saudi Arabia

Teams from the United States and Russia are in Saudi Arabia for talks on the end of the Ukraine war. The first round of the talks took place on February 18 in Riyadh. Neither Ukraine nor European nations were invited for the negotiations.

The talks on the Ukraine war underscore Trump’s promise to bring an end to the conflict that has been going on for over three years. Earlier, he dialled Russian President Vladimir Putin over the issue and set the tone for negotiations.

Who’s who in Russia-US talks

The Russian side sent in two diplomats who have helped Putin steer his post-Ukraine war foreign policy, the BBC reported. Yuri Ushakov, who is a foreign policy adviser, and veteran foreign minister Sergei Lavrov were chosen for their long experience of working with the US. Another person — Kirill Dmitriev — was not present in the room for the first round of talks, but his inclusion in the delegation highlights the importance Putin is attaching to the negotiations.


Dmitriev heads Russia's Direct Investment Fund. He is close to Putin’s family as well. The 49-year-old has played an important role in working on the US-Russia prisoner exchange that happened before Trump’s call with Putin.

On the American side, Secretary of State Mike Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz were present. Rubio has long been a critic of the US role in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Waltz too has signalled that Washington should get some payback for the help it had provided Ukraine. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, was also present in Riyadh. He is seen as the President’s favourite dealmaker.

Two Saudi hosts — Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Saudi Arabia’s national security adviser Musaed al-Aiban — chaired the start of the talks, but left the meeting.

Marco Rubio on Russia-US talks

The US Secretary of State has stated the Moscow and Washington have agreed on four broad principles following their talks. This included reestablishing embassies in the American and Russian capitals and starting discussions on “geopolitical and economic cooperation” that the end of the Ukraine conflict can provide Russia and US, CCN reported. All parties engaged in today’s talks committed to ensuring its progress.

US-Russia talks: Volodymyr Zelenskyy postpones Saudi trip

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has postponed his trip to Saudi Arabia following the announcement of the US-Russia talks, CNN reported. The Ukrainian leader was earlier scheduled to visit Riyadh later this week.

Zelenskyy added that he is “expecting” a US delegation’s arrival in Kyiv. The Trump administration’s Russia-Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg is set to visit the country on Thursday.

FAQs

1. What is the main purpose of the US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia?
The US and Russia are holding talks in Saudi Arabia to discuss the potential end of the ongoing Ukraine war. These negotiations are part of Donald Trump’s commitment to resolving the conflict.


2. Why did Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy postpone his Saudi Arabia trip?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy postponed his planned visit to Saudi Arabia due to the ongoing US-Russia talks.