Rubio, Waltz, and Witkoff Meet Top Russian Officials in First US-Russia Summit Since Ukraine Invasion

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy Ambassador Steve Witkoff have met Russian officials at the first US-Russia encounter since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 

The meeting comes after President Donald Trump initiated bilateral discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin on negotiating an end to Russia’s war with Ukraine.

As The Floridian’s Jackson Bakich reported, President Trump intends to restore friendly relations between Russia and the US.  

Trump shared his acknowledgment of both the United States and Russia's partnership during World War II, and how that relationship could be restored, claiming “working together” would lead to “great benefit.”

While an end to the war was not negotiated during the meeting, a number of initiatives designed to halt the fighting as soon as possible were allegedly mutually agreed to.

According to the State Department, Secretary Rubio and other members of the US delegation discussed creating a mechanism designed to “normalize” the US-Russia relationship, end the conflict in Ukraine, and cooperate in future economic endeavors. 

“One phone call followed by one meeting is not sufficient to establish enduring peace,” said State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce. “We must take action, and today we took an important step forward.”

Ukraine and European states were notably absent from the negotiations.

France, Germany, and various other European states, in conjunction with the European Union, have belittled the US’ negotiations with Russia as capitulating to Russia’s interests. 

The Trump administration has reportedly rejected such claims and instead characterized the negotiations with Russia as an initial introduction into Russia’s intentions and desires vis-a-vis Ukraine. 

“President Trump has shifted the entire global conversation from not *if* the war is going to end, but just *how* it's going to end," said National Security Advisor Waltz. 

Trump has repeatedly stated he intends to end the war in Ukraine.

During the campaign trail, Trump promised he would negotiate an end to the war “very quickly.”