Kirill Dmitriev wrote on Elon Musk’s X platform for the first time since 2012 this week to declare US-Russia cooperation was “key to address world challenges.” Then he posted a video graphic depicting a joint mission to Mars with the US and Saudi Arabia on what appears to be one of Musk’s SpaceX rockets.

European leaders were dismayed that their officials and those from Ukraine weren't invited to preliminary U.S.-Russia talks last week in Saudi Arabia. The very short U.S. draft resolution offers mourning for “the tragic loss of life throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict” and “implores a swift end to the conflict and further urges a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia.

A look at where things stand after the first month of Trump's second term: Trump dispatched top foreign policy advisers to Saudi Arabia for direct talks with Russian officials that were aimed at ending Moscow’s war against Ukraine.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday ahead of expected U.S.-Russia talks there on ending Moscow's war on Ukraine, though Kyiv's representatives are not expected to take part.

Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff said he and other U.S. officials will sit down with Ukrainians in Saudi Arabia.

The talks in Saudi Arabia come as both sides seek to heal a rift after presidents Zelensky and Trump clashed in public.

Volodymyr Zelenkskyy says he hopes discussions to end the three-year war between Russia and Ukraine will be "meaningful".

Mr Steve Witkoff says he is in discussions with Ukraine for a peace agreement framework to end hostilities with Russia. Read more at straitstimes.com.