The talks in Saudi Arabia - unthinkable even six months ago - were aimed as a step toward ending Russia's war in Ukraine after Mr Trump ordered officials to begin negotiations.
Russia and the United States shook hands yesterday on an agreement to resume full diplomatic relations and establish Ukraine peace talks, cementing an extraordinary reversal of international policy under President Donald Trump.
Kyiv's participation in such talks was a bedrock of US policy under Mr Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden, whose administration also led international efforts to isolate Russia over the war.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio greeted his smiling counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Riyadh and said ending the war could open "incredible opportunities that exist to partner with the Russians geopolitically on issues of common interest and, frankly, economically.”.
The meeting at the Diriyah Palace in the Saudi capital of Riyadh also highlights de facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's efforts to be a major diplomatic player, burnishing a reputation severely tarnished by the 2018 killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
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