US Pursues Broader Ties With Russia Amid Push for Peace in Ukraine

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict could pave the way for improved U.S.–Russia economic and geopolitical ties.

(L–R) U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security advisor Mike Waltz, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud, national security advisor Mosaad bin Mohammad al-Aiban, Russian president's foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov, and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attend a meeting together at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 18, 2025. Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

The Trump administration took some early steps to warm the overall U.S.–Russia relationship on Feb. 18, as President Donald Trump pursues a peaceful settlement to the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war.

Following a meeting between the U.S. and Russian delegations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the State Department announced several new efforts to repair diplomatic channels with Moscow. These efforts would include establishing a new consultation mechanism to resolve issues complicating the U.S.–Russia relationship and to rebuild their diplomatic missions on each other’s soil.