The State Department stated that the meeting between the US and Russia is not negotiations on Ukraine

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Ukraine is not participating in today's negotiations.

The US State Department commented on the talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce stated before the talks between representatives of the two countries in Riyadh that the meetings between US and Russian officials should not be viewed as "negotiations" regarding Ukraine.

"I don't think people should view this as anything to do with details or moving forward in any negotiations," said Tammy Bruce, adding that President Trump has instructed officials to "effectively follow up" on a phone call he had last week with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Riyadh, Saudi media reported on Monday, the first visit by an American official in his new position.

Rubio will meet with Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, for preliminary talks on the war in Ukraine in the Saudi capital. Officials from Ukraine and the European Union were not invited to the talks, The Times reported.