While U.S. officials characterized the talks as the first step in a peace deal, the Russians are portraying them as a way to end Moscow’s isolation.

Trump administration officials met in Saudi Arabia with Vladimir Putin’s ministers to talk about ending Russia’s war against Ukraine. Notably missing from the discussion: representatives from Ukraine and America’s European partners.

It the first time U.S. and Russian officials have met since Moscow invaded Ukraine nearly three years ago. Ukraine was excluded from the talks.