Moscow, 17 February 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Top Russian officials will meet with their US counterparts in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to discuss a potential meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, the Kremlin said.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived on Monday in Riyadh, broadcaster Al Arabiya reported, with Trump's push for a quick peace settlement in Ukraine high on the agenda.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that in addition to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov is also heading to Riyadh to take part.

The aim is to lay the groundwork for negotiations to resolve the Ukraine conflict and a meeting between the US and Russian leaders, he said.

Peskov said that in addition to war in Ukraine, "Russian-US relations across the board" will be discussed.

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz are also set to be at the table in Saudi Arabia. However, neither Ukrainian nor European representatives will be present.

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