In a remarkable diplomatic shift, US and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia without Ukrainian representatives to discuss a framework for ending the ongoing war in Ukraine. The talks, marked by a notable absence of NATO allies and European officials, indicated a potential turning point in bilateral relations, as both sides signaled willingness to engage in discussions on sanctions and cooperation. While some analysts view these talks as beneficial to Moscow, there is growing concern about the implications of sidelining Ukraine and Europe in the peace negotiations. The US Secretary of State and key Russian officials are set to lay the groundwork for further discussions and potentially appoint teams to oversee peace initiatives, despite the complexities surrounding the conflict.