MOSCOW

Talks between Russia and the United States, aimed at mending relations and addressing the conflict in Ukraine, began on Tuesday in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, according to Russian and US media reports.

The discussions at Diriyah Palace, hosted by Saudi Arabia to support diplomatic dialogue, mark the first meeting between high-level Russian and US officials since the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022.

The Russian delegation is led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and includes presidential aide Yury Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund.

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

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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.

According to both parties, the meeting also serves as a preparatory step for a future meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.

Asked at a press briefing in Moscow about possible dates for a meeting between Putin and Trump, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “There is no clear understanding yet regarding the timing of a presidential meeting. Perhaps some estimates will be made based on the outcome of today’s negotiations, but we will learn more about this later, once the dialogue concludes.”

Peskov reiterated his country’s willingness to resolve the conflict in Ukraine through peaceful means, saying Moscow had been open to this approach from the very beginning.

"President Putin has consistently expressed readiness for peace talks unlike many other countries, particularly Ukraine, which has prohibited itself from engaging in negotiations. Meanwhile, European nations have insisted on continuing the war at any cost, and the previous US administration also supported the conflict ‘to the last Ukrainian’,” he said.

Peskov emphasized that while Russia remains committed to its objectives, it prefers to achieve them through diplomatic means.

He also underscored the importance of considering Europe’s security interests in any resolution of the Ukrainian conflict. “A comprehensive, long-term, and viable settlement in Ukraine is impossible without a thorough reassessment of security issues across the continent,” he added.

There was no immediate comment from the US side.

Ahead of the main round of talks, representatives of the two countries had informal contacts, Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and a member of the Russian delegation told reporters.

According to his estimates, American businesses lost more than $300 billion by leaving the Russian market.

"Finding joint economic ways and positive solutions to issues is extremely important mainly for the US and for many other countries, which are beginning to understand that the Russian market is extremely attractive and it is necessary to be present," he said.

Saudi Arabia was chosen as the venue because it is acceptable to both sides, Peskov said, adding that discussions on European participation in the Ukrainian settlement talks remain premature, he said.