US and Russian officials hold peace talks in Saudi Arabia without Ukraine's involvement

US and Russian officials began peace talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, aimed at addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine. This is the first in-person meeting since Russia's invasion nearly three years ago. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine would not accept any agreements made without its involvement. He emphasized that Kyiv was not informed about the talks and reiterated Ukraine's core demands. European leaders, concerned about the negotiations excluding them, held an emergency meeting in Paris. They pledged continued support for Ukraine and discussed potential security guarantees, including the possibility of sending peacekeeping troops.