US and Russia hold high-level talks in Saudi Arabia without Ukraine's involvement

Top diplomats from the US and Russia are meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to discuss US-Russia relations and the ongoing Ukraine war. This is the first high-level meeting since Russia's invasion in 2022, but no concrete outcomes are expected. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the talks for excluding Kyiv, accusing the US of trying to appease Russia. He emphasized that Ukraine's future depends on support from the US and that a unified position among allies is necessary before any negotiations. The meeting also includes discussions on a controversial US proposal for Gaza. Saudi Arabia is playing a key role in these talks, seeking to balance its relationships with both the US and Russia while maintaining its stance on the Ukraine conflict.