US wants to hold talks with Russia, Ukraine after bilateral meetings with them

The Washington administration plans to hold bilateral meetings with representatives of Moscow and Kyiv and then organize joint talks with both sides of the conflict, according to the NBC TV channel, citing sources, reported from TASS.

Kyiv's envoys will not participate in the upcoming consultations in Saudi Arabia. However, the United States intends to work on the settlement of the conflict with both Russia and Ukraine.

Earlier, CNN said that the meeting of the US and Russian delegations on the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis will be held in Saudi Arabia on February 18. The country will not only provide a platform for the negotiations, but also intends to act as a mediator. The Saudi delegation will be led by the country's national security advisor. The US will be represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Donald Trump's national security advisor Mike Waltz and the US leader's special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.

The US envoy previously said that he will travel to Saudi Arabia on Sunday evening as part of the US delegation for talks with Russia and expects serious progress in settling the Ukrainian conflict.

On February 12, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump held a telephone conversation. They discussed the issue of cessation of hostilities in Ukraine, bilateral relations and a number of other issues. The sides also agreed to continue contacts and organize a face-to-face meeting.