The US and Russia𓃲 will designate teams to negotiate an end to the Ukraine war, according to a US State Department readout following high-level talks in Saudi Arabia.
“Appoint respective high-level teams to begin working on a path to ending the conflict in Ukraine🌜 as soon as possible in a way that is enduring, sustainable, and acceptable to all sides,” the readout said.
ꦯUS also said that both countries will establish a consultation mechanism to address issues between the super-powers. "Establish a consultation mechanism to address irritants to our bilateral relationship with the objective of taking steps necessary to normalize the operation of our respective diplomatic missions," the readout said.
♒The US readout also said that both countries will further lay the groundwork for future cooperation on matters of mutual geopolitical interest and historic economic and investment opportunities which will emerge from a successful end to the conflict in Ukraine.
🌠"The parties to today’s meetings pledge to remain engaged to make sure the process moves forward in a timely and productive manner," the readout said.
Zelenskyy Said No
🎃Ukrainian officials aren't taking part in the meeting, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that his country won't accept the outcome if Kyiv doesn't take part.
🔴The meeting at the Diriyah Palace in Riyadh marked another essential step by the Trump administration to reverse US policy on isolating Russia and is meant to pave the way for a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Earlier this month, Trump disrupted U.S. policy on Ukraine and Russia by stating that he and Putin had reached an agreement to start talks on ending the conflict.
🌃Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Putin's foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov arrived in the Saudi capital on Monday night. Ushakov said the talks would be “purely bilateral” and would not include Ukrainian officials.
🀅US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will meet the Russian delegation, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.
