CNN reported on the afternoon of February 18, Vietnam time, other US officials attending the first round of talks in Riyadh included National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
On the Russian side, there is a foreign advisor to Russian President Yuri Ushakov participating in the negotiations with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The photo of the talks between Russian and US officials also features Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and national security advisor Musaed al Alban.
AP said Saudi Arabian officials attended at the beginning of the meeting and were expected to withdraw from the meeting room when the official negotiations began.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the negotiations aimed to end an "unusual period" in relations between the two powers. The discussion could also lay the groundwork for a potential meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
European leaders, who have expressed concern about being left out of potentially key talks over the Russia-China conflict, held an emergency meeting on Ukraine in Paris, France on February 17.
The talks came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Europe to unite to create a unified army and foreign policy, and warned that the US period of guaranteed support for Europe had passed.
Saudi Arabia's role as a venue for senior US and Russian officials at an important meeting to heal relations highlights the country's role in mediating conflicts.
A Saudi Arabian official told CNN that at the Russia-US meeting, Saudi Arabia is expected to act as an intermediary. The Saudi Arabian group is led by the country's national security adviser.
Saudi Arabia being chosen as the venue for a meeting of Russian and US officials is seen as a victory for Saudi Arabia's Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Saudi Arabia has adjusted its policy to be more neutral in global conflicts as the country focuses on diversifying its economy and escaping dependence on oil. Saudi Arabia has significantly reduced its influence with Yemen, reclaimed relations with regional rival Iran and maintained relations with China, while maintaining close ties with the West.
CNN pointed out that the intermediary role in the negotiations between Russia and the US that Saudi Arabia has achieved stems from the close relationship of Prince Salman with US President Donald Trump as well as the warm relationship of the 36-year-old member of the Saudi Arabian royal family with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
