Secy of State #MarcoRubio’s discussions w/ FM #SergeiLavrov, the first such high-level US-Russian encounter since Moscow’s 2022 invasion, yielded an agreement to form negotiating teams & held out the possibility of “historic economic & investment opportunities” [???] for #Russia if the conflict is brought to a successful end. The talks also addressed improving #US - Russian ties, which have been in a deep freeze since Moscow’s all-out assault.

#geopolitics #Ukraine #Europe #Trump

A #State Dept readout of the talks did not mention the role that the #Ukraine govt, which did not take part in the 4½ hours of meetings…would play in future negotiations.

…The Riyadh talks have deeply unsettled Ukraine, where fears are mounting that #US ofcls are overly comfortable discussing the country’s future without Kyiv at the table. They have also unnerved European allies, who worry that #Trump will embrace a deal that emboldens #Russia President Vladimir #Putin….

#geopolitics

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, American ofcls did not dwell on #Russia’s violation of #InternationalLaw in attacking #Ukraine, its alleged #WarCrimes or the 3 years of devastation that Russian shelling & bombardment has wrought in Ukraine. Instead, they repeatedly lauded #Trump for…talking to Russia….

#geopolitics
nytimes.com/2025/02/18/world/e…

U.S.-Russia Talks in Saudi Arabia Set to Go Beyond Ukraine

The two sides met in Saudi Arabia for their most extensive discussions in years. In addition to Ukraine, business ties were on the table.

^{Anton Troianovski (The New York Times)}