2nd round of Russia-US talks begins in Saudi Arabia
Russian Foreign Ministry says delegations resume talks after brief pause
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud (4th L), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (R) , Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Foreign Policy Advisor Yuri Ushakov (2nd R), US Secretary of State Marco Antonio Rubio (2nd L), US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz (3rd L) and US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff (L) attend a meeting between Russia and the US, aimed at mending relations between the two nations and addressing the conflict in Ukraine, on February 18, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
MOSCOW
The second round of talks between high-level Russian and US delegations began in Saudi Arabia’s capital, following a short break, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the first session lasted some 2.5 hours.
"After the discussions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will address the media," she said.
Russia-US talks, aimed at mending relations between the two nations and addressing the conflict in Ukraine, begin in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh https://t.co/QVNJfrMvQG ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/8smzu0t2hV
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) February 18, 2025
Talks between Russia and the US aimed at mending relations, addressing the conflict in Ukraine, and preparing a meeting between the Russian and US presidents.
The discussions, held at Diriyah Palace and hosted by Saudi Arabia to support diplomatic dialogue, mark the first meeting between the Russian and US diplomats since the war began in February 2022.
The Russian delegation is led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and includes presidential aides Yury Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev, and the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund.
On the US side, Secretary of State Marco Rubio heads the delegation, accompanied by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff.
The talks started in the presence of Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.
Saudi Arabia was chosen as the venue because it is acceptable to both sides, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding that discussions on European participation in the Ukrainian settlement remain premature.
