<h1>US and Russia engage in high-level talks in Saudi Arabia to restore embassy staffing and support Ukraine peace efforts.</h1> US and Russian officials held extensive talks in Saudi Arabia, marking the highest-level engagement since Russia's 2022 Ukraine invasion. Led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the discussions aimed to restore embassy staffing and support Ukraine peace negotiations. While the talks could strain US-Europe relations and affect US standing with Ukraine, both sides agreed on fast-tracking ambassador appointments and setting up working groups to end the conflict. Despite concerns of a pro-Russia tilt, US officials assured engagement with Ukraine and European partners. Concessions, including sanctions relief, remain undetermined.