US sets scene for seismic shift in Russian relations

The US and Russia held talks in Saudi Arabia yesterday that set the scene for a seismic shift in relations - and a potential turning point for the Ukraine war after three bloody years.

- SAM KILEY

American negotiators emerged from the talks in Riyadh pushing back on criticism that they had sidelined Europe and Kyiv while promising warmer relations with Moscow.

After two weeks of dramatic attacks on Nato, European democratic processes, and interventions behind Russian and right-wing causes on the continent, the US team led by Donald Trump’s secretary of state Marco Rubio returned to language closer resembling traditional diplomacy.

It marks a huge move away from isolating Russia to bringing Moscow in from the cold. This will add to concerns in Europe that Mr Trump is prioritising warm relations with Russia over the continent’s security and Ukrainian sovereignty.

After the four-and-a-half-hour talks concluded, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated that Nato membership for Ukraine was unacceptable, as was the appearance of Nato member troops – even if they were operating in the country under a different flag.