A shift in U.S.-Russia relations<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump officials and Russians pursued closer ties<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Trump sent a high-level delegation to Saudi Arabia to meet with senior Russian officials today and discuss a plan to end the war in Ukraine. After four hours of negotiations \u2014 the most extensive in years between the two powers \u2014 participants in the meeting suggested that the U.S. and Russia would begin to work more closely together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Secretary of State Marco Rubio described a three-step plan that both countries had agreed to. First, they would discuss ways to ease embassy restrictions. They would also work on a peace settlement for Ukraine. Finally, Rubio said, the U.S. and Russia would explore new partnerships, both in geopolitics and business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The plans reflected a significant shift in U.S. strategy. For years, Joe Biden and other Western leaders focused on punishing Russia for starting Europe\u2019s most destructive war in generations. Today\u2019s striking display of bonhomie showed that Trump was eager to work with Russia to end the war \u2014 an approach that would most likely fulfill many of the demands of its president, Vladimir Putin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine reacted angrily to the U.S.-Russia meeting. He insisted that it was important that any peace negotiations did not happen \u201cbehind the backs of the key subjects.\u201d Any decisions, he added, \u201ccannot be imposed\u201d on Ukraine<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Photo: U.S. and Russian officials in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 18 February 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n