It's a Busy Day in Global Diplomacy

It's shaping up to be a hectic day in regard to world diplomacy:

• US, Russia: Top officials from the US and Russia arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday ahead of Tuesday talks on a range of issues, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, reports the New York Times. Secretary of State Marco Rubio leads the US delegation, and he will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as well as a top aide to Vladimir Putin, Yuri Ushakov, per the BBC. It's the highest-level talks in years between the two nations and could set up a meeting between Putin and President Trump. On Monday, Rubio and other American officials met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, described by the Times as Saudi Arabia's "de facto leader."

• Zelensky: Notably absent from the US-Russia discussions on the Ukraine war is Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky. On Monday, he told reporters that Ukraine won't accept any peace deal that results from talks in which it is not a participant, reports the Guardian. Zelensky will be in Saudi Arabia as part of a previously arranged trip.
• In Paris: Leaders of several European Union nations are meeting in Paris Monday in an emergency session called by French President Emmanuel Macron, reports the AP. The leaders are wary of the new US outreach to Russia, particularly in regard to Ukraine. On Monday, Macron will have afternoon talks with the leaders of Germany, the UK, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark, and the European Union. More here.
• Notable move: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would be willing to send troops to act as peacekeepers in Ukraine if and when the war ends, per the BBC.

This story has been updated with new developments. (More US-Russia relations stories.)