US and Russia begin talks on ending war without Ukraine
What's the story
United States and Russian officials met in Riyadh on Tuesday to discuss possible resolutions to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The talks could pave the way for a summit between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
Notably, Ukraine itself was absent from these discussions, with its President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insisting that no peace agreement can be reached without their participation.
Diplomatic tensions
European governments express concern over exclusion from talks
European governments have expressed their discomfort at being left out of these talks, calling for a seat at the table for any peace talks affecting continental security.
The Riyadh meeting was attended by top officials, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
They were received by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Putin's foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov.
Diplomatic goals
Russia's focus on ending war and restoring US relations
Russia has said that the main goal of these talks is to end the current conflict and restore full-fledged US-Russia relations. These relations had worsened considerably during former President Joe Biden's administration.
Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, praised Trump's team as "problem solvers" and highlighted the economic toll on US businesses from their exit from Russia.
Emergency summit
European leaders convene in Paris, discuss defense investments
In light of Trump's surprise push for immediate talks with Putin, European leaders also held an emergency summit in Paris on Monday.
They stressed on the need to invest more in defense and provide security guarantees to Ukraine.
"Everyone feels the great sense of urgency,..At this crucial time for the security of Europe we must continue to stand behind Ukraine," Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said.
Diplomatic facilitator
Riyadh's role in facilitating early contacts between US, Russia
It is unclear how Europe will engage Washington after Trump startled Ukraine and European allies by contacting Putin.
Eerlier, British PM Keir Starmer said he would send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine if needed, stressing on US security "backstop" for European boots on the ground.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has said that Putin will talk to Zelenskyy "if necessary."
"But the legal basis of agreements needs discussion considering the reality that Zelenskyy's legitimacy can be questioned," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.