Top U.S. and Russian officials have had their most extensive high-level engagement since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine almost three years ago.

Senior Russian and American officials met in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to begin talks on improving relations and negotiating an end to Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Putin-Trump In Saudi Soon? Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has departed for Saudi Arabia to engage in high-level talks with members of the Trump administration, as the US and Russia explore potential diplomatic solutions to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Senior officials from the U.S. and Russia meet in Saudi Arabia on improving ties and ending the war in Ukraine - but Ukraine isn't invited.

The meeting is meant to pave the way for a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he did not know about U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia and "will not accept" them.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Top U.S. and Russian officials ... Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the discussions were a good first step.

Russia meeting expected on Tuesday in Riyadh “will be devoted primarily to the restoration of the entire complex of Russian-American relations.”

The second round of talks between high-level Russian and US delegations began in Saudi Arabia’s capital, following a short break, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the first session lasted some 2.5 hours.

High-level talks between the US and Russia are underway in Riyadh, aiming to restore ties and negotiate an end to the Ukraine war. Key figures include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz,

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Rubio’s diplomatic experience is limited to his time in the Senate, during which he served on the Foreign Relations and Intelligence Committees.