Moscow’s demand during Riyadh talks rejected but allies fear Donald Trump could yet allow restoration of former Soviet bloc

European shares closed at a record high on Tuesday, with banking and defence stocks among top gainers as investors priced in the likelihood of increased domestic military spending against a backdrop of peace talks to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Already, the US president is musing about opportunities for closer economic engagement with Russia (even though US companies are not exactly drooling at the idea, given how completely President Vladimir Putin has buried the rule of law in his country).

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Saudi Arabia for talks regarding Russia's war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy will be in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. NBC News' Courtney Kube has the latest reporting.

Russia gets a small win, Ukraine gets a slight reprieve yet is still angrily outside the room and Europe is suddenly relevant again.

Alexander Stubb and other European leaders at the final day of the Munich Security Conference on Sunday sought to firm up how the European Union can move from talk to more action and stay relevant as Washington pushes to stop the fighting.

The prime minister says a "US security guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again".

Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania officially disconnected from the Russian-controlled Brell power grid. The following day, they successfully connected to the European Union’s electricity network.

Europe is looking to decouple from China, enforce sanctions on Russia and deepen its ties with India as global foreign policy shifts. Bloomberg reporters answer your questions.

Europe either needs to "step up" or Zelenskyy needs to "step down" after testy Oval Office meeting, according to Ukraine observers who saw the fiery exchange at the White House.

The statements piled up on social media, offering words of encouragement to the Ukrainian leader and his people.