Why it matters:
Amid ongoing conflict, direct dialogue between Washington and Moscow is rare. The latest talks, held in Saudi Arabia, mark a potential shift toward broader diplomatic engagement, though major disagreements remain unresolved.
The big picture:
The meeting in Riyadh lasted 12 hours and came as U.S. President Donald Trump pushed for a rapid resolution to the war. Ukraine, notably absent from the main session, extended its stay for further discussions with U.S. officials.
What he’s saying:
"We discussed many issues. It was not an easy conversation, but very useful for both sides."
"We are far from resolving everything, but such discussions are very timely."
"Russia wants to broaden the dialogue, especially with the United Nations and certain countries."
Key points:
- U.S. and Russian officials held 12 hours of talks in Riyadh, with a joint statement expected soon.
- Ukraine's delegation remained an extra day for separate discussions with U.S. officials.
- Russia is advocating for a multilateral format, but details remain vague.
Go deeper:
While Karasin's remarks suggest openness to further talks, skepticism remains over Moscow’s true intentions. Russia’s push for broader involvement, including the UN, could be a strategic move to dilute Western influence over negotiations.
Mojtaba Darabi
