Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Negotiations between Russian and U.S. delegations took place in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, where the sides discussed bilateral relations, the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine, and preparations for a meeting between the leaders of the two countries. Following the discussions, both sides made official statements.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that the talks were not only useful but also productive. He noted that the parties did more than just listen to each other—they genuinely sought mutual understanding. According to Lavrov, Moscow has reason to believe that Washington now has a better grasp of Russia’s position. He stated that discussions on normalizing relations were relatively successful, as both sides demonstrated a determined and practical approach to advancing cooperation.

The meeting was held at the request of the presidents, who had previously agreed to conduct direct negotiations and tasked their delegations with identifying key issues that needed to be addressed before setting a date and format for the summit.

The Russian side expressed agreement with Senator Marco Rubio’s view that Moscow-Washington relations should be built on the basis of national interests. Both parties also recognized the importance of avoiding escalation when their positions diverge and instead seeking ways to resolve differences.

Moscow and Washington reaffirmed their mutual interest in resuming consultations on global geopolitical challenges. One tangible outcome of the talks was an agreement to promptly appoint ambassadors to each other’s capitals, which would help resolve issues concerning the functioning of diplomatic missions. The Russian side explicitly stated that the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine—regardless of the flag under which they operate—is categorically unacceptable for Moscow.

Plans are underway to establish a mechanism for discussing the settlement of the Ukraine conflict. The consultations between Russia and the U.S. on this issue will take place regularly once both sides designate their respective negotiating teams. U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Keith Kellogg will lead negotiations with Kyiv and European countries, while Washington will appoint a separate representative for talks with Moscow.

Economic cooperation was also on the agenda. The United States proposed a moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure, but the Russian delegation insisted that its attacks were strictly limited to military supply facilities and posed no threat to civilian energy systems.

Moscow also drew attention to Ukraine’s recent attack on a pumping station of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, arguing that the international community should put an end to such actions by Kyiv.

The talks further covered ways to eliminate obstacles hindering bilateral relations. The parties agreed to arrange a meeting between the deputy foreign ministers of Russia and the United States to address these issues. However, the Russian delegation acknowledged that not all contentious matters could be discussed during this session.

Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov noted that both sides agreed to consider each other’s interests while continuing efforts to develop bilateral relations, which remain important to both Moscow and Washington. He also stressed that it was too early to discuss specific dates for a presidential summit, as its organization would require thorough preparation.

The American delegation, for its part, highlighted that a successful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine could open up unprecedented opportunities for U.S.-Russia cooperation, both geopolitically and economically.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that resolving the situation would require complex and prolonged diplomatic efforts. He noted that ending hostilities would only be possible with the consent of all parties involved and that achieving a lasting peace would necessitate compromises.

According to Rubio, former U.S. President Donald Trump is committed to securing a fair settlement of the conflict to prevent its resurgence in the coming years.

Washington is engaged in talks not only with Moscow but also with Kyiv and believes that the European Union should be involved in discussions, given that it was the EU that imposed sanctions against Russia.

The White House underscored that restoring the normal functioning of diplomatic missions is a crucial step for future negotiations.

Although no date has been set for a potential summit between the Russian and U.S. leaders, both sides expressed their willingness to continue engagement and work toward creating the conditions necessary for such a meeting. According to the American side, any conflict resolution must be durable, sustainable, and take into account the interests of all parties involved.

Washington also emphasized that the meeting in Riyadh was an important step forward in resolving the crisis, though additional efforts would be required to achieve a final settlement.

U.S. media reported that the issue of elections in Ukraine was briefly raised during the talks. While it was not on the official agenda of the current meeting, it may become a subject of discussion in the future.

It was also revealed that Moscow and Washington agreed to establish a special consultation mechanism aimed at addressing problematic aspects of their bilateral relationship.

The four-and-a-half-hour negotiations included the participation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov. Representing the United States were Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy for the Middle East Steven Witkoff.