On the 18th, US-Russia Ministerial Meeting in Saudi Arabia... Summit and Ukraine War Discussions (Update)

Mark Rubio, US Secretary of State, Arrives in Riyadh

The United States and Russia will hold a ministerial-level meeting on the 18th (local time) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The agenda is expected to cover not only the schedule for the bilateral summit but also important issues such as the restoration of bilateral relations and negotiations for ending the war in Ukraine.

Photo by AFP Yonhap News Agency showing U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio arriving in Saudi Arabia

According to Russian foreign media such as TASS and Sputnik News, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, explained at a briefing on the 17th, "The meeting between the Russian and American delegations held in Riyadh on the 18th will be attended by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Kremlin foreign affairs advisor Yuri Ushakov." He also mentioned, "This meeting concerns the overall restoration of Russia-US relations" and added, "Preparations for negotiations related to Ukraine will also be discussed."

Regarding the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, Peskov said, "That issue will be addressed only on the 18th." He also noted that Middle East issues could be discussed, stating, "Our delegation will be prepared to discuss that matter."

Foreign Minister Lavrov and Advisor Ushakov departed from Moscow to Riyadh by air on the same day. On the US side, Secretary of State Mark Rubio, who is touring the Middle East, arrived in Riyadh on the day. Steve Witkoff, the White House Middle East envoy, and Mike Waltz, the White House National Security Advisor, reportedly went to Saudi Arabia the day before to join the delegation, according to US local reports.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.