US and Russia resume talks in Saudi Arabia as Ukraine warns against exclusion

The U.S. and Russia have resumed talks in Saudi Arabia, aiming to re-establish communication after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a four-part agreement, highlighting potential geopolitical and economic partnerships if the conflict ends. Ukraine was not included in the discussions and expressed strong opposition to any agreements made without its involvement. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy emphasized that Ukraine would not accept ultimatums, reflecting concerns over negotiations occurring without its consent. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described the talks as productive, while European leaders voiced worries about the negotiations' direction. They stressed that any peace agreement must include Ukraine to be sustainable and effective.