U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has sought to reassure European allies following direct negotiations between the United States and Russia in Saudi Arabia.
In private calls to officials in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy, Rubio emphasised that these talks do not mark a fundamental shift in Washington’s policy on Ukraine or relations with Moscow, according to a report by The New York Times.
Concerns Over US Policy Shift
The diplomatic engagement between Washington and Moscow in Riyadh has raised concerns among European governments about the possibility of a shift in U.S. strategy. Many feared that the meeting signalled a departure from the firm stance on Russia upheld since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
According to The New York Times, Rubio clarified that the discussions in Saudi Arabia were merely a preliminary step, intended to assess whether the Kremlin was genuinely interested in reaching a settlement. He assured European officials that the Trump administration has no intention of imposing a U.S.-Russia deal on Ukraine or its European partners.
Sanctions and Diplomatic Channels
During the call, Rubio reiterated that Washington would not lift sanctions on Russia without significant changes in Moscow’s behaviour. However, he did not rule out the possibility of easing certain restrictions if Russia demonstrated steps that aligned with U.S. objectives.
One key issue discussed in Riyadh was the reopening of diplomatic channels between the U.S. and Russia, particularly the restoration of embassy operations, which have been severely restricted since the breakdown of relations. Rubio described this as a test of Russia’s intentions—if Moscow was unwilling to make progress on basic diplomatic matters, it would signal a lack of seriousness in broader negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine.
European Allies Left Out of Talks
A portion of Rubio’s conversation was dedicated to explaining why European and Ukrainian representatives were not included in the Riyadh talks. He stated that the meeting focused primarily on bilateral issues between the U.S. and Russia, rather than matters directly affecting Ukraine.
Despite these reassurances, European officials remain cautious, particularly given concerns that Russia may exploit the talks to create divisions within the Western alliance. Rubio acknowledged this risk, noting that Washington is aware of Moscow’s strategy to use negotiations as a means to reduce its international isolation.
Call for Unity Among Allies
Rubio concluded his discussions by promising to keep European allies informed about future diplomatic engagements with Russia. He called for continued unity among Western nations, emphasising that any potential settlement would require full coordination between the U.S., Ukraine, and its European partners.
While Rubio’s private remarks appeared more conciliatory than public statements from some Trump administration officials, uncertainty remains over the long-term trajectory of U.S. policy toward Russia and Ukraine. European leaders are closely monitoring developments, wary of any shift that could weaken Western support for Kyiv.
Read also:
Appeasement Redux? Trump’s Russia Overtures Mirror the Munich Betrayal
