Russian officials are reportedly seeking to leverage President Donald Trump’s eagerness to end the war in Ukraine to secure a deal that heavily favors Moscow, according to Russian government and diplomatic sources who spoke to The Moscow Times.
In a surprising diplomatic development, senior U.S. and Russian officials met for marathon talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday—marking a potential thaw in relations three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine froze ties between Moscow and Washington.
Strategic Goals
The discussions went beyond the war in Ukraine, touching on the possibility of a future summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as broader improvements in U.S.-Russia relations. Moscow is reportedly keen to capitalize on these discussions.
According to a Russian diplomatic source, Putin has instructed his envoys to adopt an amicable and complimentary approach toward their American counterparts, especially Trump, to maximize potential gains from the anticipated summit.
“Our delegation was tasked with negotiating — not arguing — to a certain extent,” said one Russian diplomat, emphasizing the Kremlin’s strategy of combining flexibility with firmness in its negotiations.
Key Negotiators
While the specific attendees of the Riyadh talks remain unclear, sources close to the Kremlin indicated that the delegation is likely to expand as talks progress. Notable figures expected to participate include:
- Sergei Naryshkin, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, to discuss intelligence-sharing and counterterrorism.
- Sergei Ryabkov, Deputy Foreign Minister, focusing on arms control and strategic stability.
- Mikhail Bogdanov, Putin’s envoy to the Middle East.
Billionaire Roman Abramovich, who played a role in earlier peace talks in 2022, is not expected to be involved this time. A Russian official noted that Abramovich’s value lay in his access to both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but the Kremlin is now uninterested in engaging directly with Zelensky.
A Diplomatic Opportunity
The Kremlin reportedly sees Trump’s pursuit of quick and symbolic foreign policy victories as an opportunity to push for its own long-standing objectives. Russian officials believe Trump is eager to secure a high-profile moment where he can claim credit for ending the war in Ukraine, a scenario Moscow views as favorable for advancing its agenda.
However, Russian diplomats acknowledge that U.S. positions may evolve as negotiations progress and working groups emerge following the Riyadh meeting. For now, Moscow appears focused on carefully maneuvering to secure concessions while maintaining a conciliatory tone toward the Trump administration.
This strategic approach underscores the high stakes involved in the potential resolution of the Ukraine conflict and the broader implications for U.S.-Russia relations.
