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

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. White House national security adviser Mike Waltz and special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff joined Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the meeting table in Riyadh on Feb. 18....