Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with a high-level Russian delegation in Saudi Arabia to discuss restoring U.S. and Russian diplomatic missions in Washington and Moscow. These missions have been operating with reduced staff due to reciprocal cuts implemented over the last decade. The meeting signifies a potential effort to improve diplomatic channels between the two nations despite ongoing tensions.
The primary focus of the discussions was to establish a high-level team to negotiate an end to the conflict in Ukraine. The aim is to find a resolution that is both enduring and acceptable to all parties involved. While Rubio did not disclose specific concessions expected from Russia or whether sanctions would be lifted, he emphasized the need for difficult diplomacy in closed rooms.
Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff characterized the meeting as positive, upbeat, constructive, and solution-based. This suggests a potentially significant step towards de-escalation and diplomatic engagement between the U.S. and Russia. The restoration of diplomatic missions could facilitate further negotiations and communication between the two countries.
“Again, we're not going to pre-negotiate nor an end to this conflict. These are the kinds of things that have to happen through hard and difficult diplomacy in closed rooms over a period of time.”
ranked by level of diplomatic meetings
Source: U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Travel Records
Note: Data represents diplomatic activity from 1997-2024