High-level representatives from Russia and the United States convened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday to discuss avenues for improved relations and a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Notably, Ukrainian officials were not present at these talks.

Leading the delegations were U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who met at the Diriyah Palace.

Secretary Rubio’s team included National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, while Minister Lavrov was accompanied by Yuri Ushakov, the Kremlin’s foreign affairs advisor.

Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and national security advisor Musaed al Alban attended the meeting’s commencement but were anticipated to depart early.

The absence of Ukrainian officials is significant, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Monday that Kyiv would not accept any outcome reached without its participation.

This meeting marks a further departure by the Trump administration from previous U.S. policy of isolating Russia, aiming to pave the way for a meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin.

This initiative follows President Trump’s recent announcement of a negotiated settlement with President Putin to end the war, which began in February 2022, representing a shift in U.S. policy toward Ukraine and Russia.