The Russian government released a U.S. citizen detained on charges of possession of a small amount of marijuana ahead of talks between Russian and U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia, a spokesman for the U.

The negotiations in Saudi Arabia, which exclude Ukrainian officials, mark a pivotal step by the Trump Administration to reverse U.S. policy on isolating Russia.

Russian, U.S. officials to meet in Saudi Arabia in coming days Zelenskiy says Ukraine not invited Europe will not have seat at talks, Trump envoy says Rubio, Lavrov speak on Ukraine, future U.S.-Russia meeting MUNICH/WASHINGTON,

Secretary of State Marco Rubio right, meets with Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman at the State Department, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, right, participates in a welcome ceremony with Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, at the Pentagon in Washington. (AP

The U.S. Secretary of State's comments came after a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the pair were discussing the possibility of an end

A U.S. citizen arrested in Russia earlier this month on drug smuggling charges has been released ahead of talks in Saudi Arabia between Moscow and Washington.  Read More

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Ukraine would not be excluded from negotiations to end the war, but success would depend on raising the level of trust between Moscow and Washington.

The move appears to be an effort to ease tensions between Moscow and Washington ahead of talks in Saudi Arabia.

Rubio offered his assessment after he and other key U.S. officials met for more than four hours in Saudi Arabia with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his aides in a first effort toward ending the war and improving the contentious Washington-Moscow relationship.