US and Russia meet in Saudi Arabia for talks on Ukraine war without Kyiv

Top US and Russian diplomats met in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for talks on resetting their fractured relations, the first such discussions since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Both sides downplayed expectations of a breakthrough in this first high-level meeting between the countries since US President Donald Trump took office.

Still, the very fact the encounter is taking place triggered concern in Ukraine and Europe following the United States’ recent overtures towards the Kremlin.

At Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, the talks began without visible handshakes, and no statements were made.

A stern-faced US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sat across from Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, with US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff by his side.

Lavrov was accompanied by senior Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and national security adviser Musaad bin Mohammad al-Aiban also attended.