US and Russia begin talks aimed at ending Ukraine war

BBC LIVE Summary

The US and Russia are holding talks in Saudi Arabia about the war in Ukraine - it's the first in-person meeting since Moscow's full-scale invasion three years ago.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is speaking to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Neither Ukraine nor Europe are invited - so who's at the table?

Our correspondent Tom Bateman reports: Both sides sat in silence before the meeting started. I asked Rubio whether the US was sidelining Ukraine - he didn't answer.

The US says the talks are a first step to see if Russia is "serious" about ending the war, while Russia says it hopes to normalise relations with America.

But President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine will not recognise any agreements reached from talks it is not involved in.

European leaders also want to be involved - yesterday they held an emergency summit. UK PM Sir Keir Starmer said he would consider sending UK troops to Ukraine in the event of a lasting peace agreement, but other countries were reluctant.