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.