U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio touched down in Riyadh on Monday as part of a planned visit aimed at conducting high-level discussions with Russian representatives.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Yuri Ushakov, an advisor to President Vladimir Putin on foreign policy, are slated to join the American delegation in Riyadh on Tuesday.

The talks will center around reviving the full range of Russia–U.S. relations and gearing up for possible negotiations regarding a resolution in Ukraine, as stated by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff are also anticipated to participate in the discussions.

These meetings constitute some of the first face-to-face interactions between U.S. and Russian officials in several years.

The discussions are expected to occur ahead of a planned meeting between the presidents of the U.S. and Russia, following a recent phone call between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which Trump instructed officials to initiate negotiations concerning the conflict in Ukraine.

Riyadh has played a significant role in fostering initial communications between the Trump administration and Moscow, aiding in a recent prisoner exchange.

The Saudi capital is also engaged in talks with Washington about the future of the Gaza Strip.

On the agenda for Rubio’s meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is a proposal to resettle Palestinian residents of Gaza in different Arab countries, with the United States taking the lead on reconstruction efforts.

Saudi officials and other Arab nations have dismissed resettlement plans and are reportedly crafting an alternative proposal, which may establish a Gulf-led reconstruction fund and actions aimed at curbing Hamas's influence.

Rubio visited Israel on Sunday to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reaffirming support for Israel amid its regional rivalry with Iran.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, is also in the region with plans to visit Saudi Arabia and Turkey, although his participation in the Riyadh discussions is not anticipated.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce verified that the planned meetings in Riyadh will occur on Tuesday.

This engagement signifies a crucial moment in diplomatic exchanges, as high-level discussions between Russian and U.S. officials resume in person.