Russia denies reports of new talks with United States

Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, has denied reports suggesting that a new round of talks between Russia and the United States is scheduled for this week in Saudi Arabia.

Zakharova clarified that there are no plans for such discussions and emphasized that no relevant information had been received from the US side regarding the matter, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

Earlier, CNN reported, citing sources, that a potential meeting between Russian and American officials could take place in Saudi Arabia. However, Zakharova firmly dismissed the claim, stating, “It is not planned. Not only that, no information has been received from the US side.”

Talks between representatives from Washington and Kyiv are scheduled to take place in Jeddah on March 12. Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy to the Middle East, confirmed that the US and Ukrainian delegations will focus on discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing Ukrainian crisis.

The US delegation will include Witkoff, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and President Donald Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also noted that representatives from both countries will hold a “meaningful meeting.”

Bloomberg reports that the meeting will coincide with a significant development regarding rare earth metals, as President Trump is linking the signing of a deal with Ukraine's commitment to pursue a ceasefire. Sources told the agency that the US is pressing Ukraine to agree to sit down for negotiations.

By Vafa Guliyeva