Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov has refuted US President Donald Trump’s claim that a subsequent round of Russian–American consultations was slated to take place in Riyadh on 25 February.
In an unambiguous statement, Ryabkov confirmed that no such meeting is being prepared, countering reports that had suggested a rapid escalation in bilateral talks following recent diplomatic exchanges.
Recent meetings between Russian and American delegations have been conducted at lower institutional levels. On the American side, representatives included U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, while the Russian contingent was headed by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his colleague, presidential assistant on foreign policy Yuri Ushakov. These meetings have now paved the way for a series of consultations at the level of the heads of the respective departments. The principal objective is to address and resolve persistent irritants that continue to affect the functioning of bilateral relations.
The planned consultations at the departmental level are seen as a precursor to further discussions. Should these initial meetings yield any progress in mitigating longstanding issues – including those related to the operation of diplomatic missions – the dialogue would then progress to a meeting between the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and his American counterpart, the Deputy Secretary of State. Only after such discussions would a higher-level meeting involving the respective Foreign Ministers and US senior national security advisers be considered. Moscow has made it clear that any move towards a presidential-level meeting is still in its infancy, with preparatory work barely underway.
This cautious and methodical approach contrasts sharply with the early expectations set by President Trump. Following his telephone conversation with President Vladimir Putin, Trump had expressed confidence that dramatic developments were imminent – suggesting that a realistic agreement could be reached, potentially outlining a ceasefire or even an end to the war.
However, President Putin is reported to have rejected the proposal for an immediate ceasefire during that discussion, although he consented to the idea that foreign ministers and their aides should meet shortly thereafter. Indeed, a meeting in Riyadh did take place, although it appears to have been confined to institutional discussions rather than the sweeping measures that Trump had envisioned.
Moscow now appears to be steering the process towards a more conventional and bureaucratic framework. The current plan involves a possible meeting between the heads of the respective departments in early March. This meeting is expected to focus not on resolving the broader conflict but on restoring the operational status of diplomatic representations between the two countries. Such a restoration is seen as a necessary precondition for addressing more substantive issues that have, over time, complicated the overall relationship.
Should these initial consultations prove successful – in the sense that they facilitate a degree of compromise on contentious issues – the matter will then be escalated to higher levels. Ryabkov and his American counterpart at the deputy level would take over the discussions, with the aim of moving towards a meeting at the ministerial level. However, even if the Americans are prepared to make significant concessions, any meeting between the foreign ministers is not anticipated before mid to late March. Further, only if the delegations can secure tangible progress in restoring full diplomatic functions would discussions then extend to planning a high-level summit.
Among the proposals put forward in the Russian scenario is the possibility of a meeting between President Trump and President Putin. According to some reports, the Russian leadership has earmarked 9 May 2025 as a potential date for such a summit. This meeting could conceivably include a trilateral discussion involving the presidents of Russia, the United States, and the People’s Republic of China, with the aim of delineating spheres of influence. Nonetheless, Moscow’s proposals are based on the premise that all parties will need to demonstrate incremental progress through a structured series of meetings.
In stark contrast to Moscow’s approach, President Trump has maintained that his initial conversation with Putin should have set in motion a rapid and dramatic shift in the strategic landscape. The American president’s position is that he is capable of imposing his own vision on the resolution of the Russian–Ukrainian war, including defining the terms of any ceasefire. Yet, as discussions continue at the lower levels, it is evident that such expectations are unlikely to be met in the near term. Analysts note that unless Trump’s administration shifts towards a more measured policy – one that might include the reinforcement of sanctions or increased support for Ukraine – its ability to influence Kremlin policy appears limited.
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