Trump Announces 2nd Round Ukraine Peace Talks with Russian Diplomats in Riyadh

Donald Trump Announces Second Round of Ukraine Peace Talks with Russian Diplomats

US President Donald Trump has unveiled plans for a second round of ceasefire negotiations between American and Russian delegations, set to take place in Riyadh on February 25. The announcement, made via a statement on C-Span, comes just one week after the first round of discussions in the Saudi capital.

New Phase of Negotiations

Trump’s latest statement confirms that the upcoming talks will focus on three primary objectives:

•Restoring Embassy Staffing: Both Washington and Moscow will work to fully staff their embassies.

• Supporting Ukraine Peace Talks: A high-level team will be created to back ongoing discussions for peace in Ukraine.

• Enhancing Bilateral Cooperation: The talks aim to explore closer economic and diplomatic relations between the US and Russia.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that while the meeting—with senior Russian officials including Sergey Lavrov—marked a promising start, much work remains before a lasting ceasefire can be achieved.

Exclusion of Ukraine Sparks Controversy

The negotiations have sparked considerable controversy, as no Ukrainian officials were invited to participate. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already expressed his disapproval, stating that Ukraine will not accept any outcome from talks in which it is excluded. European allies have also voiced concerns, fearing that sidelining Ukraine could lead to an imbalance that favors Russian interests.

The initial round of negotiations in Riyadh on Tuesday had already prompted European allies to rally around Ukraine amid apprehensions over Trump’s perceived pivot toward Moscow.
 

Hints of a Trump-Putin Summit

In a related development, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov indicated that preparations are underway for a potential face-to-face meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ryabkov suggested that such a summit could address a wide range of global issues beyond the war in Ukraine, although he stressed that intensive preparatory work is still needed.

Mixed Messages from Trump

Adding to the complexity, Trump recently appeared to walk back his earlier comments that controversially blamed Ukraine for initiating the conflict. In an interview with Fox News, he insisted that both Zelenskyy and former President Joe Biden should have taken a more conciliatory approach toward Putin, further fueling the debate over the true direction of his foreign policy.
 

A Delicate Diplomatic Balance

As Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine nears its third year, these renewed talks come at a critical time. With Ukraine losing ground against Russian forces and European allies urging a stronger stance, the absence of Ukraine in these discussions only intensifies the diplomatic challenge. The situation underscores the precarious balance between seeking peace and maintaining Ukraine’s sovereignty in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.