US, Russia forge ahead on peace talks, without Ukraine


French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte as he arrives for a meeting with European leaders on Ukraine and European security at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 17, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor

RIYADH (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump's administration said on Tuesday it had agreed to hold more talks with Russia on ending the war in Ukraine after an initial meeting that excluded Kyiv, a departure from Washington's previous approach that rallied U.S. allies to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin.

As the 4-1/2-hour meeting in the Saudi capital was underway, Russia hardened its demands, notably insisting it would not tolerate the NATO alliance granting membership to Ukraine.

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