US and Russia hold first significant talks since Ukraine conflict in Saudi Arabia

U.S. and Russian officials held their first significant talks since the Ukraine conflict began, meeting for nearly four hours in Saudi Arabia. They discussed restoring embassy staffing and exploring peace negotiations, marking a shift from previous isolationist policies. The discussions included plans for high-level working groups to address the conflict and potential joint energy projects. However, the talks did not include Ukraine or European nations, raising concerns about their involvement in future negotiations. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the need for diplomatic engagement to achieve peace. He noted that concessions would be necessary from all sides, but specific details on sanctions or negotiations remain unclear.