US and Russia hold talks in Saudi Arabia to discuss Ukraine war and improving relations

Top U.S. and Russian diplomats met in Saudi Arabia to discuss improving relations and negotiating an end to the Ukraine war. Notably, no Ukrainian officials attended the talks, which marks a shift in U.S. foreign policy under President Trump. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attended the meeting, which aimed to restore ties between the two nations. Concerns arose from Ukraine and European allies about being excluded from discussions that could impact their interests. The meeting is the most significant contact between the U.S. and Russia since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Meanwhile, Russia continues its military actions, launching drone attacks on Ukraine, causing civilian injuries and property damage.