Russia-U.S. talks in Riyadh: Putin highlights 'positive' results; Europe reaffirms calls for lasting peace in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin described the results of recent Russia-U.S. talks in Riyadh as "positive," local media reported on Wednesday.

"I've been briefed on the talks. I appreciate them. There is a result," Putin said answering media questions during a visit to a UAV production plant in St. Petersburg.

Stating that he highly valued the outcome of the high-level meeting, Putin said the negotiations paved the way towards resuming cooperation in various areas of mutual interest.

The talks were primarily focused on restoring relations between Moscow and Washington, he further noted, adding that strengthening trust between both countries was crucial for resolving pressing issues, including the Ukraine conflict.

Russia and the United States are working together on key issues related to economic, space, and energy cooperation, he stated, adding that he would like to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, though some preparation was necessary.

The United States and Russia have agreed to work on a path to ending the conflict in Ukraine and improve bilateral ties during extensive high-level talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Washington and Moscow will "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," a statement by the U.S. Department of State read.

Europeans reaffirm calls for just, lasting peace in Ukraine

Following Russian-U.S. talks held on Tuesday in Riyadh, French President Emmanuel Macron convened a second meeting on Ukraine and European security on Wednesday, bringing together France's European and non-European partners.

Unlike Monday's face-to-face mini-summit, Macron held a "long conversation" via videoconference with his European Union (EU) counterparts and leaders from Norway, Iceland, and Canada. Romania's interim President Ilie Bolojan held bilateral talks with Macron before the meeting.

Afterwards, European leaders reinforced their stance that a "just and lasting" peace in Ukraine must be achieved. Macron said on his social media platform X that France and its partners had a "clear and united" position on Ukraine.

"We want a lasting and solid peace in Ukraine," he emphasized, adding that European nations stand with Ukraine and will "take all our responsibilities to ensure peace and security in Europe."

Macron underlined that Europe shares the same goal as U.S. President Donald Trump – to end the three-year-long conflict in Ukraine. He stressed that Europe's efforts for peace would continue under three principles: Ukraine must always be involved and its rights respected, peace must be lasting with robust and credible guarantees, and European security concerns must be taken into account.

As the only official received by Macron at the Elysee on Wednesday, Romania's interim President Ilie Bolojan echoed Macron's sentiments, asserting that a "just and fair" peace is important and it cannot be reached without the participation of Ukraine and the EU.

"We also agreed that in the immediate future, unity and coordination between our countries are necessary," Bolojan said, noting that participants agreed to prepare a significant support package for Ukraine.

After the online meeting, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson reiterated at a press conference in Stockholm that Ukraine should be able to define the terms for peace. "What happens now in Ukraine will have an impact on many generations to come," he warned, stressing the need for military support to strengthen Ukraine's position in future peace talks.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said that all parties of the meeting are committed to ending the conflict. "But it is necessary to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, which will ensure respect for international law and the integrity of Ukraine," he noted. He also proposed appointing a "high-profile" EU representative for future talks on Ukraine.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store noted that European countries and Canada were "strongly aligned" in their stance, emphasizing that a ceasefire must serve as a prelude to genuine peace negotiations that can lead to a lasting solution.

Both Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Prime Minister Petteri Orpo attended the videoconference. After the meeting, Stubb said at a press conference that a consensus was reached on what Europe should do. He revealed that Macron had spoken twice with Trump and planned further contacts with other major non-European countries to explore "opportunities" for Europe. Orpo said that additional military aid should be rapidly arranged for Ukraine.

According to the Baltic News Service (BNS), Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda proposed setting January 1, 2030 as a "reference date" for Ukraine's accession to the EU. Before the meeting, Nauseda called for unconditional support for Ukraine and increased security and defense spending. "No negotiations on Ukraine without Ukraine, no negotiations on Europe without Europe," he said.

However, the meeting did not include what Europe perceives as "pro-Russia" countries. Slovak President Peter Pellegrini voiced dissatisfaction with the exclusion of Hungary and Slovakia despite their geographic proximity to Ukraine. He argued that Macron's "strange" approach risks fragmenting EU unity.

"I don't get it how a country that borders a country in which a military conflict is taking place can fail to be invited to a summit on the future of Ukraine and the post-war settlement," said Pellegrini.

Zelenskyy demands Ukraine involvement, while Trump suggests Ukraine is to blame for ongoing war

Following the Riyadh meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is in Türkiye for a visit, said that the Russia-U.S. talks were "a surprise" to Kyiv, which it "found out through the media."

Zelenskyy stressed that Türkiye and Europe should be involved in discussions about ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. "Negotiations should not take place behind our backs," he said, announcing the cancellation of his scheduled visit to Saudi Arabia.

Zelenskyy had said earlier that Kyiv would not participate in the U.S.-Russia negotiations and would not accept the results of the negotiations that exclude Ukraine.

Tuesday's meeting is the latest indication of a thaw in the previously frosty relations between Washington and Moscow since Trump took office in January.

Trump showed little patience for Ukraine's objections to being excluded from the talks. He said repeatedly that Ukraine's leaders never should have allowed the conflict to begin.

"Today I heard, 'Oh, well, we weren't invited.' Well, you been there for three years. You should have ended it three years ago," Trump said during a news conference at his Florida residence. "You should have never started it. You could have made a deal."

(With input from agencies)

(Cover: An office building damaged by a Russian ballistic missile strike in the Obolonskyi district, Kyiv, February 12, 2025. /VCG)