Breaking News: Russian and U.S. Delegations Begin Talks in Riyadh to Address Ukraine Crisis…..See More

throughout the conflict, Riyadh has facilitated prisoner exchanges and hosted Ukrainian leaders, including Zelenskyy, in past summits.

The choice of Riyadh as a venue highlights its strategic neutrality and growing influence in mediating international disputes.

Reactions and Challenges
The exclusion of Ukraine from direct talks with Russia on Monday has reignited tensions, echoing Kyiv’s dismay over the February 2025 U.S.-Russia meeting.

Zelenskyy, speaking on March 23, urged Western partners to pressure Moscow into halting attacks, citing a deadly Russian drone strike in Kyiv that killed three people, including a child, as evidence of Russia’s “true attitude toward peace.”

Ukrainian officials insist that any resolution must align with Kyiv’s vision of a “just peace,” including robust security guarantees and the restoration of territorial integrity.

European leaders, too, have expressed unease over the U.S.-led process.

While the UK and France have discussed contributing to a potential peacekeeping force, Russia has firmly rejected any NATO troop presence in Ukraine, complicating prospects for a broader settlement.

French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have advocated for a coordinated European response, with emergency meetings held in recent weeks to assert the continent’s stake in the outcome.

On the Russian side, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov tempered expectations, describing the talks as the “beginning of a path” fraught with “difficult negotiations.”

Moscow’s insistence on retaining occupied territories and blocking Ukraine’s NATO aspirations remains a significant hurdle, clashing with Kyiv’s non-negotiable demands.

Outlook
The Riyadh talks represent a pivotal moment in the Ukraine crisis, with the potential to either de-escalate a devastating war or expose irreconcilable differences between the parties.

The U.S.’s shuttle diplomacy—engaging Ukraine on Sunday and Russia on Monday—aims to broker incremental progress, but the absence of direct Russia-Ukraine dialogue raises questions about the durability of any agreement.

Observers note that Trump’s push for a swift resolution, possibly ahead of a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, could accelerate the process, though critics warn of risks to Ukraine’s sovereignty if concessions are rushed.

As the delegations convene at Diriyah Palace, the international community watches closely.

Saudi Arabia’s mediation, combined with U.S. diplomatic muscle, offers a rare chance for breakthroughs, yet the shadow of ongoing violence and deep-seated mistrust looms large.

Whether these talks pave the way for peace or merely highlight the conflict’s intractability remains to be seen, with outcomes likely to shape geopolitics for years to come.