U.S.-Russia peace talks in Riyadh end after 4.5 hours

U.S. and Russian officials met for over four hours in Riyadh on Feb. 18 for their first talks on ending the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported. Russian negotiator Yuri Ushakov said the discussions went well, but a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely next week. During the talks, Russia hardened its stance, demanding North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) not only block Ukraine’s membership but also revoke its 2008 pledge to admit Kyiv in the future. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders fear Trump may strike a deal favoring Moscow, sidelining Ukraine’s interests.