नेपाल सम्वत् ११४५ सिल्लागाः ७ (८ फाल्गुन, २०८१) फेब्रुअरी २०, २०२५ , बिहिबार, बाँपीझ्याला ।In a significant diplomatic shift, the United States and Russia have agreed to begin working towards ending the war in Ukraine and improving bilateral relations, as announced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio following high-level talks. The discussions, which included Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, focused on three key goals: restoring staffing at their respective embassies, establishing a high-level team to support Ukraine peace talks, and exploring closer economic and diplomatic ties. However, Rubio emphasized that these talks are only the beginning of a long process, and no concrete agreements have been reached yet. Notably, no Ukrainian officials were present at the meeting, raising concerns among Ukraine and its European allies about being sidelined in negotiations that could shape their future.
The talks mark a dramatic reversal in U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump, who has sought to improve relations with Russia despite years of tension following Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Under Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, the U.S. led international efforts to isolate Russia through sanctions and diplomatic pressure. The war has strained U.S.-Russia relations to their lowest point in decades, with both countries expelling diplomats and imposing economic sanctions. Rubio highlighted the potential for future geopolitical and economic cooperation with Russia if the conflict in Ukraine is resolved, signaling a shift from the previous administration’s approach.
The absence of Ukrainian representatives at the talks has sparked criticism from Kyiv and European allies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insisted that any peace agreement must involve Ukraine, while European leaders expressed concerns about being excluded from critical discussions. France convened an emergency meeting of EU countries and the U.K. to address the situation, with French President Emmanuel Macron vowing to work with all stakeholders to achieve a lasting peace. Rubio acknowledged that European allies, who have also imposed sanctions on Russia, would need to be part of future negotiations.
The meeting, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, underscores Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s efforts to position Saudi Arabia as a key diplomatic player. Saudi Arabia has maintained close ties with both Russia and Ukraine, facilitating prisoner exchanges and hosting Zelenskyy for an Arab League summit in 2023. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine continues unabated, with Russia launching a massive drone attack overnight, causing casualties and damage to residential buildings. The ongoing conflict underscores the urgency of diplomatic efforts to achieve peace, even as the path forward remains uncertain.
