US and Russian officials hold talks in Saudi Arabia on Ukraine war

Top U.S. and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia to discuss improving relations and negotiating an end to the Ukraine war. The talks, led by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, did not include Ukrainian representatives. This meeting marks a shift in U.S. policy, moving away from isolating Russia. It aims to set the stage for a future meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, following Trump's recent announcement of negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concerns about the talks, stating Ukraine would not accept any outcomes without its participation. Meanwhile, Russia continued drone attacks on Ukraine, causing injuries and damage to residential areas.