Controversial talks have opened between Russian and US officials about ending the war in Ukraine – despite Volodymyr Zelensky being frozen out.
A delegation from Washington and the Kremlin are holding discussions in Riyad, Saudi Arabia, which have sparked alarm across Europe. The US team, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has sat down with Vladimir Putin’s representatives including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov amid fears of a capitulation.
Lavrov has hinted he is not prepared to make concessions ahead of the talks, while US has already indicated key Ukrainian demands are ‘unrealistic’. Worried European leaders have warned that Putin will strike again if a peace agreement is weak and not backed up with a US security guarantee.
The talks were brokered after Donald Trump spoke to Putin on the phone last week. The unpredicatable US President revealed the two nations would open discussions about a peace settlement that will end the war.
But one worrying sign as Russia’s delegation landed in Saudi Arabia came from Trump’s close ally Elon Musk, who was fawning in his admiration. He shared a photo of Lavrov and the Kremlin, writing: “This is what competent leadership looks like.”
Mr Zelensky has revealed he was not invited to the talks and said he will not accept an agreement forced on him. Last week US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said it was not “realistic” for Ukraine to join NATO or return to its pre-2014 borders. Both are key demands of the Ukrainian government.
The remarks sparked a wave of criticism, with the Trump administration accused of capitulating to Putin. Mr Rubio was joined for the talks in Saudi Arabia by national security adviser Mike Waltz and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
Lavrov sat next to the Kremlin’s foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and national security adviser Musaed al Alban joined the Americans and Russians at the start of the talks, but are not expected to participate through the day.
Kirill Dmitriev, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, said ahead of the talks: “Good US-Russia relations are very important for the whole world. Only jointly can Russia and the U.S. address lots of world problems, resolve for global conflicts and offer solutions.”
Lavrov has dismissed the prospect of European countries having a say, telling reporters as he arrived in Saudi Arabia: “I don’t know what they have to do at the negotiations table.”
On Monday European leaders including Keir Starmer scrambled to a hastily-arranged summit in Paris, called by French President Emmanuel Macron. Mr Starmer warned that the only way of stopping Putin striking again was for the US to commit to a security guarantee.
The PM said: “Europe must play its role, and I’m prepared to consider committing British forces on the ground alongside others if there is a lasting peace agreement. But there must be a US backstop, because a US security guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again.”
Mr Starmer will travel to Washington DC next week, and is set to discuss the crisis with the President. He warned that securing peace is a “generational” issue for Europe.
Mr Macron warned against “capitulation”. It came after Trump suggested Russia might not make any concessions.
Mr Macron said a “peace that is a capitulation” would be “bad news for everyone”. He told the Financial Times: “The only question at this stage is whether President Putin is genuinely, sustainably and credibly willing to agree to a ceasefire on this basis. After that, it’s up to the Ukrainians to negotiate with Russia.”
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