Russia and US commit to ending Ukraine war and improving ties

Russia and the US have agreed to work towards ending the war in Ukraine and improving diplomatic ties. This marks a significant shift in US foreign policy under President Donald Trump, as both sides aim to restore embassy staffing and support peace talks. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed three main goals: enhancing diplomatic relations, creating a high-level team for peace talks, and exploring economic cooperation. No Ukrainian officials attended the meeting, raising concerns in Kyiv and among European allies. The talks, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, are the most extensive contact between the two nations since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Despite the discussions, Russia continues its military actions in Ukraine, launching drone attacks that have caused civilian injuries.