US Officials to Meet with Russian Counterparts Amid Ukraine War; Iran Affirms Support for Syria

U.S. officials are scheduled to meet with Russian representatives in Saudi Arabia to discuss the Ukraine war. The meeting is expected to take place next week and will include U.S. State Department Secretary Marco Rubio, U.S. President's National Security Advisor Mike Voltz, and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Weitkoff, according to Bloomberg. Putin is assembling a team of "heavyweights" for the talks. Iran has declared its unwavering support for Syria, with Iranian envoy to Syria, Mohammadreza Raouf Sheibani, stating that the Islamic Republic of Iran maintains a strong relationship with Damascus and provides necessary assistance. Sheibani noted Iran's close attention to Syrian developments and its ongoing consultations with the Syrian government. He emphasized that Syria should manage its affairs without foreign interference.