by Admin
Feb 19, 2025
In a significant diplomatic development, Russia and the United States have agreed to restore staffing levels at their embassies in Washington and Moscow.
The decision, announced after high-level talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, is part of broader efforts to ease tensions and advance negotiations aimed at resolving the nearly three-year war in Ukraine.
The meeting in Riyadh was attended by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. While Ukrainian officials were absent from the discussions, the conflict in Ukraine was a key topic.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has since reaffirmed that Kyiv will not accept any settlement that excludes its direct participation. European allies have also expressed concerns about being sidelined in the negotiations.
Speaking with The Associated Press, Rubio confirmed that both nations had agreed to restore their diplomatic presence in each other’s capitals, reversing years of mutual expulsions that had strained bilateral relations.
The restoration of embassy staffing is expected to improve diplomatic communication and facilitate further negotiations.
The talks in Saudi Arabia also laid the groundwork for a potential meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
While discussions about a summit are ongoing, Russian foreign affairs advisor Yuri Ushakov stated that no date has been finalized.
As the war in Ukraine continues, the renewed diplomatic engagement between Washington and Moscow signals a potential shift in global relations.
The outcome of these discussions could shape future diplomatic strategies and international stability in the months ahead.