• Putin sees the Riyadh talks as a positive step toward rebuilding U.S.-Russia relations.
• Trump criticizes U.S. financial support for Ukraine, calling it a “lose-lose” situation.
• Moscow and Washington are ready to cooperate on various global issues, including arms control and regional stability.
• EU and Ukraine react negatively to the talks, with Putin dismissing their concerns as “hysterical.”
• Trump and Putin agree that Russia holds an advantage in the ongoing peace negotiations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed optimism about the “first step” toward restoring U.S.-Russia relations following high-level talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, while lambasting the EU and Ukraine for their “hysterical” reactions. The meeting, held on Tuesday, marked a significant shift in Washington’s stance toward Moscow, which has been isolated since the invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago.

Speaking to journalists in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, Putin emphasized that the talks were a crucial step toward rebuilding trust, a sentiment echoed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who called the situation a “lose-lose” for the United States due to the massive financial toll of supporting Ukraine. Trump also asserted that Russia now holds the “cards” in the ongoing peace negotiations.

High-level talks in Riyadh could be a new dawn for U.S.-Russia relations

Putin described the Riyadh talks as a positive step, highlighting areas of potential cooperation such as arms control, space exploration, energy, and regional stability, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the situation in Syria. He stressed that the meeting’s primary goal was to “restore U.S.-Russia relations” and that both nations are ready to engage in further dialogue to address pressing global issues.

However, the absence of Ukrainian and European officials from the talks has sparked concern in Kiev and Brussels. Putin dismissed these concerns, stating, “Does anyone want to act as an intermediary between Russia and the US? Such demands are excessive.” He emphasized that Moscow and Washington do not need intermediaries to resolve their differences and that rebuilding trust is essential for addressing the Ukraine conflict.

EU and Ukrainian reaction: Hysteria or justified concern?

EU and Ukrainian officials were notably absent from the Riyadh talks, leading to what Putin termed “hysterical” reactions. He criticized the EU and Ukraine for their overreaction, suggesting that their concerns are unwarranted. “There is no reason for such a reaction,” Putin stated, adding that “hysteria is inappropriate” in this situation.

The Russian president also addressed the Ukrainian withdrawal from the Istanbul talks in 2022 and subsequent bans on Ukrainian officials engaging with Moscow. He reiterated that Russia remains open to negotiations.

The financial burden of supporting Ukraine has been a significant point of contention, with Trump advocating for a reassessment of U.S. involvement. Trump has called the ongoing support a “losing battle,” citing the massive expenditures and questioning whether the U.S. is getting a fair return on its investment. He has also expressed frustration with the Ukrainian government, labeling President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections” and suggesting that Ukraine’s mismanagement of billions in U.S. aid is unsustainable.

Trump’s assessment aligns with Putin’s view that Russia holds a significant advantage in the peace negotiations. “I think the Russians want to see the war end, I really do. I think they have the cards a little bit, because they’ve taken a lot of territory. They have the cards,” Trump told the BBC on Air Force One.

The high-level talks in Riyadh represent a tentative but significant step toward normalizing U.S.-Russia relations, with both leaders expressing a willingness to engage in further dialogue. However, the exclusion of Ukraine and Europe from these discussions has strained relations and sparked concerns about a potential backroom deal.

As the war in Ukraine continues to exact a heavy toll, the financial and political implications of this conflict are increasingly coming into focus, and the prospects for a lasting peace remain uncertain but hopeful. The next moves by all parties will be crucial in determining the outcome of this complex and multifaceted conflict.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

AlJazeera.com

BBC.com