U.S.-Russia talks on Ukraine begin in Saudi Arabia

Talks between negotiators representing Russia and the U.S. have begun in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

Representing Russia in the talks are Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov, and the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), Kirill Dmitriev.

On the U.S. side, participants include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and President Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.

Russia state media shared footage of the meeting, which is being held at the city’s Diriyah Palace, on Tuesday morning.

According to NBC News, the U.S. plans to hold separate meetings with Russia and Ukraine before joint negotiations to reach a ceasefire agreement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Kyiv will not recognize the results of the Russia-U.S. talks in Riyadh.