US and Russia Agree to Consultation Mechanism Amid Strained Ties

The United States and Russia have agreed to establish a consultation mechanism to address issues straining their bilateral relations, the US State Department announced following high-level talks in Riyadh on Tuesday, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency

The discussions, aimed at normalizing diplomatic operations, also covered efforts to end the war in Ukraine and potential cooperation on geopolitical and economic matters. US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to stopping the violence and uniting global efforts.

Bruce highlighted that former President Donald Trump is uniquely positioned to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia, citing the warmer ties between Washington and Moscow during his first term (2017-2021).

Both delegations agreed to appoint high-level teams to work toward a sustainable resolution in Ukraine and explore future economic and investment opportunities. The meeting followed Trump’s recent call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling a possible thaw in relations and paving the way for a potential US-Russia summit.

This was the first meeting between Russian and US diplomats since the Ukraine war began in February 2022. The Russian delegation was led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio headed the American team. Saudi Arabia hosted the talks to support diplomatic dialogue and de-escalation efforts.