Russia and US agree to work towards ending Ukraine war and improving ties
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (second left) meets with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi National Security Advisor Mosaad bin Mohammad Al-Aiban, U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz (third left) U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff (left) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (right) and Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov (second right) at Diriyah Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2025
RUSSIA and the US agreed today to work towards ending the war in Ukraine and improving diplomatic and economic ties as officials met in Saudi Arabia.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that both sides broadly agreed to restore embassy staffing in Washington and Moscow, create a high-level team to support Ukraine peace talks, and explore closer relations and economic co-operation.
But he said the talks in Riyadh — attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov — marked the beginning of a conversation, and more work needed to be done.
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