Russia and Ukraine begin peace negotiations led by US officials in Saudi Arabia

Negotiations for a peace deal to end the Ukraine war have begun, led by U.S. officials from the Trump administration. Key meetings took place in Saudi Arabia between U.S. and Russian leaders, marking a significant step toward peace, according to the White House. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not invited to the talks and has postponed a planned visit to Saudi Arabia. He emphasized that Ukraine must be included in any negotiations and expressed skepticism about Russia's intentions. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that all parties will be included in future discussions. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned the need to restore diplomatic operations in Washington and Moscow to facilitate ongoing negotiations.