Russian diplomacy in disarray as tensions flare in Saudi talks

          
• Where did the conflict occur? During the American-Russian talks in Saudi Arabia in February 2025.
• Who was involved in the dispute? Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, and Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund.
• Why did the conflict arise? Dmitriev joined the delegation without the leader's knowledge, surprising Lavrov.

During the talks in Saudi Arabia in February, an unexpected conflict arose within the Russian delegation. Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, was caught off guard by Kirill Dmitriev's presence, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund. Dmitriev appeared at the meeting unannounced, resulting in tension.

Lavrov, showing his displeasure, denied Dmitriev a seat at the negotiation table. According to the Moscow Times portal, the Russian foreign minister stated that Dmitriev's presence should have been arranged directly with Vladimir Putin. After Lavrov left the room, Dmitriev then took a seat at the table.

According to sources, communication issues have become routine at the Kremlin, affecting diplomacy as well. A Moscow Times informant revealed that different individuals receive varied information from Vladimir Putin, making it challenging for Russia to formulate consistent demands during negotiations. Dmitriev, as a Putin advisor, has close ties with the Russian leader, further complicating the situation.

The discussions in Saudi Arabia marked the first direct meeting of Russian and American diplomats since the onset of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Although no significant agreements were achieved, Dmitriev described them as "positive," underlining the importance of dialogue between the two major countries.