US Secretary of State meets Russian officials in Saudi Arabia for Ukraine peace talks without Ukraine's presence

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Saudi Arabia today for peace talks with Russian officials regarding the Ukraine conflict. Ukraine has not been invited to these discussions, despite previous statements suggesting their involvement. This meeting follows a recent phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin about a potential peace deal. Ukrainian President Zelensky has stated that any agreements made without Ukraine's participation would not be accepted. European leaders are also not attending the Saudi talks and are instead meeting in Paris to discuss the situation in Ukraine. Zelensky has emphasized the need for European nations to strengthen their defenses amid ongoing tensions with Russia.