US and Russia hold significant talks in Saudi Arabia to address Ukraine war

US and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the Ukraine war and restoring diplomatic relations. This was the first significant face-to-face meeting since January 2022, following years of strained ties. Both sides agreed to form high-level teams to improve embassy staffing and support peace talks regarding Ukraine. They emphasized the importance of restoring diplomatic relations and exploring economic cooperation. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy postponed his visit to Saudi Arabia to avoid any association with the US-Russia discussions. The talks included discussions on potential concessions, but Russia rejected NATO troops for any peacekeeping mission.