Russia begins dialogue on Ukraine, China speaks out

Major news agencies such as AP, Reuters and AFP reported that top US and Russian officials have just begun a dialogue in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) to improve bilateral relations and negotiate an end to the conflict in Ukraine.

The talks are expected to pave the way for a summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Who is present at the Russia-US talks on the war in Ukraine?

Just before the meeting, Russia released an American citizen named Kalob Byers Wayne (28 years old). He was arrested at the airport in Moscow on February 7 for carrying marijuana.

The Russian delegation was led by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, while the US side included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

US (left) and Russian (right) delegations met in Riyadh on February 18.

Ahead of the meeting, Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, expressed hope that the US would listen to Russia’s views on Ukraine. Dmitriev, who studied in the US and worked for Goldman Sachs, played a role in contacts between Moscow and Washington early in Trump’s first term.

President Putin's foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov, who also attended the talks in Riyadh, said on February 17 that Mr. Dmitriev could join the Russian delegation to discuss possible economic issues.

This is the first high-level meeting between the US and Russia since 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on February 17 that he did not participate and did not know anything about the dialogue.

"Ukraine believes that any negotiations on Ukraine without Ukraine are fruitless. We will not recognize the agreements that result from it," Mr. Zelensky affirmed.

The Ukrainian leader also visited Saudi Arabia on February 18, but he said the event was long-scheduled and unrelated to the US-Russia meeting.

On the other hand, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Beijing was happy to see all efforts towards peace but hoped all parties could engage in dialogue to address the root causes of the crisis, according to AFP. "We hope that all relevant parties can engage in peaceful dialogue when appropriate," Guo said.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/my-nga-bat-dau-doi-thoai-ve-ukraine-trung-quoc-len-tieng-185250218152442082.htm