The relationship between Russia and the United States of America remains one of the most important in geopolitics. With a second Trump administration, relations between the two are set for what the New York Times describes as a “head-spinning reset.”
Historically the relationship between Russia and the US has proved complex and controversial, however, since Russia’s invasion the relationship between the two has been strained while Washington has stood firmly with Ukraine and its President Volodymyr Zelensky. For three years the war has waged and the US and much of the international community have made attempts to isolate Russia through sanctions to try and force their surrender.
A month into the second Trump administration, the new President and Putin had a telephone call to kickstart the changed relationship between the two states. Following this call, representatives from each side met in Saudi Arabia. Major talks between Russia and the US discussing the war in Ukraine occurred on Tuesday 19 February for the first time since Russia’s invasion, with the notable absence of Ukraine and any European representatives.
Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov stated that the meeting was focused mostly on Russia-US bilateral ties, explaining that talks will focus on "restoring the entire range of US-Russian relations, as well as preparing possible talks on the Ukrainian settlement and organising a meeting of the two presidents."
Similarly, US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio emphasised that these are the first steps toward achieving any kind of lasting peace. Rubio referenced that the “three and a half years since any regularised contact” between the US and Russia had occurred echoing the sentiment that restoring the relationship between the two global superpowers will be a vital basis for peace talks.
Both sides emerged optimistic about their future relationship; seemingly these talks succeeded in reestablishing these clear lines of communication and started to rebuild diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Outside of Ukraine these talks also likely serve as the beginning of a new business relationship between the two, with Rubio hinting towards “extraordinary opportunities” once the war is over. This signals an economic shift in the nature of their relationship, moving away from the tone of the past three years characterised by sanctions bringing about economic hardship for Russia.
These talks mark a serious change from the Biden administration. In just his first weeks in office President Trump and his team have sent a clear message of abandonment of the previous policies regarding the war in Ukraine. This is unsurprising when looking at Trump’s record with Russia and the conflict, blaming his predecessor Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky, openly labelling the Ukrainian President a dictator, mirroring the narrative of the Kremlin.
Ultimately these talks also signify a willingness from the US to engage directly with Russia to end the conflict. However the ramifications of keeping Ukraine and the rest of Europe out of these talks remain uncertain, with concerns growing that the exclusion of key players will not bring about a fair and lasting solution, but one skewed in favour of Russia.
Following these talks Trump said he would “probably” meet with Putin in the coming weeks.
