U.S. and Russia kick off high-level talks that exclude Ukraine and Europe

Summary

The U.S. and Russia started high-level talks in Saudi Arabia, marking a shift in U.S. policy under Trump.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov without including Ukraine or European nations.

The meeting raises concerns in Kyiv and among European leaders, as it could legitimize Russia’s territorial gains and weaken Ukraine.

Ukraine warned that any agreement excluding them would be invalid, while European officials feared Russia might exploit a ceasefire to regroup and launch further attacks in Ukraine or beyond.