The recent U.S.-Russia meeting in Saudi Arabia has drawn significant global attention, as world leaders watch to see if any meaningful progress can be made in resolving the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The meeting, which took place in Riyadh, was notable not only for the topics discussed but also for who was left out of the conversation—most notably, Ukraine and key European allies. While the U.S. and Russia engaged in diplomatic negotiations, tensions remain high as both sides continue to push their own strategic interests.

What Was Discussed?

The primary focus of the meeting was to explore potential pathways for peace, although both sides arrived with vastly different expectations. Key discussion points included:

1. A Possible Ceasefire Agreement
   
   • Russia reportedly refused to agree to an unconditional ceasefire, demanding that Ukraine accept territorial losses before any pause in fighting could take place.
   • The U.S. pushed for a temporary ceasefire to allow for humanitarian aid and de-escalation, but there was no clear breakthrough.
2. Security Guarantees for Ukraine
   
   • The U.S. emphasized that Ukraine’s security must be prioritized, potentially through increased NATO involvement or long-term defense agreements.
   • Russia, however, rejected any NATO expansion and insisted that Ukraine should remain a neutral state with no Western military presence.
3. Sanctions Relief for Russia
   
   • Russia demanded the lifting of sanctions, arguing that they were harming global trade, particularly in energy and agriculture.
   • The U.S. refused to offer significant economic relief unless Russia showed concrete steps toward reducing military aggression in Ukraine.
4. Energy and Economic Discussions
   
   • As Saudi Arabia hosted the meeting, oil production and energy stability were also topics of discussion.
   • Russia sought to strengthen economic ties with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations, possibly as a way to counteract Western sanctions.

Where Are We Now?

Despite diplomatic efforts, no major agreements were reached, and the meeting ended with more questions than answers. Here’s where things currently stand:

• Ukraine is furious about being left out of the negotiations. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that no agreements about Ukraine’s future will be accepted unless Ukraine is directly involved in discussions.
• European leaders remain divided on how to respond. Some countries, like France, have pushed for stronger European involvement, while others, like Germany, remain cautious about escalating tensions with Russia.
• Russia has shown no signs of backing down, continuing its military operations while using diplomacy to weaken Western support for Ukraine.
• The U.S. is in a tough position, trying to balance diplomatic efforts with military aid, while also maintaining unity among its allies.

What Happens Next?

With no clear resolution from the talks, the situation remains highly unstable. The exclusion of Ukraine from negotiations has weakened trust in the process, and unless future discussions include Kyiv and European nations, real progress may be difficult. Meanwhile, military action continues on the ground, and the world waits to see if further diplomatic efforts will be made or if the war will intensify once again.