Stalemate in US-Russia Consultations as Ukraine’s Position Blocks Joint Agreement

Consultations between Russia and the United States, held on March 24, 2025, in Riyadh, ended without a joint statement due to Ukraine’s refusal to endorse the proposed agreements. This information was confirmed by Vladimir Chizhov, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security. The 12-hour negotiations, which were anticipated as a crucial step toward de-escalating the ongoing conflict, did not yield the expected outcomes, despite earlier indications of progress.

Chizhov revealed that both Moscow and Washington had aimed to formalize the discussions with an official document to be released on the morning of March 25. However, the intervention from the Ukrainian side, which was not directly involved in the negotiations, disrupted these plans. The Russian senator did not provide further details but emphasized that Kyiv’s stance had become a significant obstacle. This aligns with the Kremlin’s previous assertions that any agreements must consider Russia’s interests and conditions.

The specifics of Ukraine’s objections, as well as the content of the proposed agreements, remain undisclosed, heightening speculation regarding the discussions. The Riyadh talks represented the second round of Russian-American consultations in 2025 and were mediated by Saudi Arabia, focusing primarily on the safety of navigation in the Black Sea and a temporary ceasefire concerning energy infrastructure.

The Russian delegation was led by FSB Advisor Sergei Beseda, while National Security Advisor Mike Waltz headed the American team. There had been hopes that the final statement would mark the initial steps toward détente; however, the lack of consensus with Ukraine now casts doubt on any future progress. Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov had previously characterized the meeting as technical in nature, indicating that the results were not intended for broad public dissemination—a precaution that now appears to have been warranted given the outcome.