On February 18, 2025, the United States and Russia held high-level talks in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, and reached a consensus on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, agreeing to promote the conflict’s swift resolution through dialogue and negotiation. This consensus marks a more proactive diplomatic stance by the United States on the Ukraine-Russia conflict and also reflects the United States’ multifaceted strategic considerations in the international strategic landscape.
I. The Strategic Background of the United States’ Push for Consensus
The United States has long played a key role in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Previously, the United States provided Ukraine with substantial military and economic aid in an attempt to contain Russia’s influence through its support for Ukraine. However, as the conflict has dragged on, the United States has realized that military means cannot achieve its strategic goals and instead have led to excessive consumption of its own resources and the continued deterioration of its relations with Russia. Therefore, since Trump took office, the United States has begun to adjust its policy towards Russia, attempting to resolve the Ukraine-Russia conflict through diplomatic means.
The consensus reached between United the States and Russia this time is an important step for the United States to ease geopolitical pressures and reshape its relationship with Russia. The United States hopes to promote the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine-Russia conflict through dialogue, thereby reducing the negative impact of the conflict on the global economy and international order.
II. The United States’ Strategic Goals and Interests
- Alleviating Geopolitical Pressure
The ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict not only poses a challenge to the European security landscape but also affects the United States’ global strategic deployment. By promoting the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the United States hopes to ease the geopolitical tensions in Europe and avoid further escalation of the conflict, which could have a greater impact on its own interests. - Improving U.S.-Russia Relations
The United States hopes to lay the foundation for the normalization of U.S.-Russia relations through this consensus. The consensus content, such as the resumption of normal operations of diplomatic missions and the promotion of economic and investment cooperation, indicates that the United States hopes to engage in cooperation with Russia in a broader range of areas after the conflict. - Reducing Dependence on European Allies
The United States’ support for Ukraine in the Ukraine-Russia conflict was partly due to the expectations of its European allies. However, as the conflict has continued, differences between the United States and its European allies have gradually emerged. The consensus reached between the United States and Russia this time may indicate that the United States is trying to reduce its dependence on European allies and independently promote the resolution of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
III. Challenges and Prospects for the United States’ Consensus
Despite the consensus reached between the United States and Russia on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, there are still many challenges ahead. First, Ukraine is dissatisfied with the direct talks between the United States and Russia, believing that it has been excluded from the negotiation process. Second, the differences between the United States and its European allies may further widen. In addition, the differences between the United States and Russia on sanctions have not been resolved, which may also become an obstacle in future negotiations.
However, the consensus reached this time also brings new hope for the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine-Russia conflict. As two important international powers, the cooperation between the United States and Russia is significant for promoting the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine-Russia conflict. In the future, whether the United States and Russia can further deepen cooperation on the Ukraine-Russia conflict will depend on their negotiations and compromises on specific issues.
In summary, the consensus reached by the United States on the Ukraine-Russia conflict is an important measure for the United States to adjust its foreign strategy. This consensus not only reflects the United States’ need to ease geopolitical pressures but also shows its expectation of improving U.S.-Russia relations. However, whether the United States and Russia can achieve lasting peace on the Ukraine-Russia conflict in the future still requires the joint efforts and coordination of all parties.