The Russian government released a U.S. citizen detained on charges of possession of a small amount of marijuana ahead of talks between Russian and U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia, a spokesman for the U.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio right, meets with Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman at the State Department, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

The U.S. Secretary of State's comments came after a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the pair were discussing the possibility of an end to the war in Ukraine - without representatives from Kyiv present.

The negotiations in Saudi Arabia, which exclude Ukrainian officials, mark a pivotal step by the Trump Administration to reverse U.S. policy on isolating Russia.

Russian, U.S. officials to meet in Saudi Arabia in coming days Zelenskiy says Ukraine not invited Europe will not have seat at talks, Trump envoy says Rubio, Lavrov speak on Ukraine, future U.S.-Russia meeting MUNICH/WASHINGTON,

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, right, participates in a welcome ceremony with Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, at the Pentagon in Washington. (AP

The U.S. Secretary of State's comments came after a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the pair were discussing the possibility of an end

A U.S. citizen arrested in Russia earlier this month on drug smuggling charges has been released ahead of talks in Saudi Arabia between Moscow and Washington.  Read More

The move appears to be an effort to ease tensions between Moscow and Washington ahead of talks in Saudi Arabia.

The U.S. Secretary of State's comments came after a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the pair were discussing the possibility of an end

Washington said Russia and the United States will name teams to negotiate a path to ending the war in Ukraine as soon as possible, as the superpowers met on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia without Kyiv or the EU.

As talks open today in Saudi Arabia between Washington and Moscow to end the war in Ukraine, President Trump’s eagerness to be a peacemaker at all costs can’t override the real