In a significant development, the United States and Russia have agreed to work towards a peace settlement for Ukraine following a four-and-a-half-hour meeting in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
This marks a notable shift from the Biden administration's previous efforts to isolate the Kremlin. Both nations have pledged to re-establish the functionality of their respective missions in Washington and Moscow, signaling an intention to reset their bilateral relationship.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the potential for collaboration, stating that the U.S. would explore \"incredible opportunities that exist to partner with the Russians\" both geopolitically and economically. This position was well-received by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey V. Lavrov, who commented, \"We weren't just listening to each other, but we heard each other,\" and expressed optimism that the American side is beginning to understand Russia's positions better.
The talks also indicate a departure from previous policies, with U.S. President Donald Trump seemingly rolling back his predecessor's anti-Russia stance. During the discussions, when asked about Ukraine—a country not invited to the talks—Trump directly blamed Ukraine, stating, \"You should have never started it. You could have made a deal.\" This message has resonated as a clear signal to European allies, who have relied on the U.S. for \"shared security\" amidst the ongoing conflict.
Prior to the Moscow-Washington conference, tensions between the U.S. and its European allies were already elevated. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously remarked that Ukraine's objectives of joining NATO and reclaiming lost territories were \"not realistic,\" further highlighting the complexities surrounding the Ukraine conflict.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
