Russia and US Officials to Meet in Saudi Arabia, Kremlin Confirms

The Kremlin has confirmed that Russian and U.S. representatives will meet tomorrow in Saudi Arabia, Orda reports.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov are flying to Riyadh today on Putin's orders.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, currently in the Middle East to boost economic ties in the region, warned that Ukraine "will never accept deals made behind their backs."

Previous reports indicate he hadn't been invited to the above talks, and two U.S. officials confirmed this.

Peskov said the meeting "will be devoted to restoring the complex of Russian-American relations, preparing possible negotiations on a Ukrainian settlement, and organizing a meeting between the two presidents. "

Reuters previously reported that Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO Kirill Dmitriev, who has ties to Putin's inner circle, would also meet with the U.S. delegation. Foreign Intelligence Service chief Sergei Naryshkin was also reported to be part of Putin's Ukraine negotiation team.

NBC, citing two American officials, reports that Washington plans separate meetings with Moscow and Kyiv representatives before holding joint negotiations. A timeline was not specified.

On February 16, Peskov stated that Russia would consider "Ukraine's lack of sovereignty" in negotiations. 

He claimed Kyiv "cannot be responsible for its words" and, therefore, "certain adjustments" must be made each time, adding that Russia "has not forgotten" about the breakdown of the Minsk agreements.