It is a week of intense diplomacy following Trump’s upending of U.S. policy with his decision to hold direct talks with Russia, while excluding Ukraine, European allies from initial discussions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Russia was not opposed to Europe's involvement in Russia-U.S. peace talks aimed at settling the conflict in Ukraine, but noted that Brussels had long rejected any dialogue with Moscow.

Latvia's foreign minister warned that Russia wanted to "weaken U.S. power" in the world as Washington and Moscow seek to end the war in Ukraine.

Russia and the U.S. will seek to mend diplomatic ties during talks also focused on ending the conflict in Ukraine as part of a surprise rapprochement under President Donald Trump.

President Donald Trump’s rapprochement with Russia has some experts suggesting he might be trying to do a “reverse Nixon” and isolate Beijing by courting Moscow.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has held a call with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and said he was pleased with Moscow’s efforts to hold a summit with the U.S. toward ending the war in Ukraine