US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia: What is known

The United States says the talks are a first step to see if Russia is “serious” about ending the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin, in turn, hopes to normalize relations with America.

Before that, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine does not recognize any agreements reached in negotiations in which it does not participate.

As can be seen from the journalists' photos, the talks are being attended by US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.

Russia is represented by the Russian President's Advisor on Foreign Policy, Yuri Ushakov, and the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov.

Earlier, media reported that the US delegation would also meet with the sanctioned head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RFPI), Kirill Dmitriev — journalists saw him on the sidelines. The director of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergei Naryshkin, who served with Putin in the Soviet KGB, was also to be involved in the talks.

The meeting was hosted by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud and National Security Adviser Musaed Bin Mohammed al-Aiban. However, a BBC reporter said they were only in the room to make welcoming statements before leaving the two delegations to begin negotiations.

Before the meeting began, both delegations sat silently and stared at the press. Rubio also ignored reporters' questions about whether the United States was leaving Ukraine aside.

According to TASS, after two hours of negotiations, the delegations took a 15-minute break and then returned to the negotiations.

As a reminder, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he is also planning a visit to Saudi Arabia, but not for talks with the Russians. Together with his wife Olena Zelenska, he has already visited the UAE to discuss investments, economic partnerships, and a large humanitarian program. Zelenskyy is currently in Turkiye.