The day of a high-level and much anticipated US-Russia meeting toward achieving the end of the war in Ukraine was held in Saudi Arabia, hailed by Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy adviser, as "successful" after about four-hours-and-a-half hours of talks.

However, Ukraine's President Zelensky was sidelined as were the European allies. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov led the Russian delegation meeting US officials, including Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz.

Both sides have said they are looking forward to the meeting paving a way for a near-future bilateral summit between Presidents Trump and Putin.