US President Donald Trump has described the talks between US and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia as “very good” and suggested he could meet Russian President Vladimir Putin before the end of the month, as Washington significantly changes its position on the war in Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met in Riyadh at the start of talks aimed at ending the three-year war between Russia and Ukraine. The convening of the two powers – without Ukraine or Europe at the table – marks a change in US foreign policy under Mr Trump, who has repeatedly vowed to bring the conflict to an end.
Saudi Arabian officials led Tuesday's talks, Russian state media reported. Riyadh has played a key role in establishing contact between Moscow and Washington, as well as bringing about prisoner exchanges. The US thanked the kingdom and the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for hosting the meeting.
“I just wanted to also take a moment, I think, on behalf of all of us and the President, to thank our partners in Saudi Arabia, to thank our hosts for bringing this together, and particularly Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his team,” National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said.
Mr Putin later on Wednesday also thanked Saudi Arabia for hosting the talks. "I would like to express my sincere thanks to the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, not only for Riyadh hosting a high-level meeting between Russia and the United States but also for creating a very friendly atmosphere," he told reporters.
It was the first time US and Russian officials have sat down to discuss ways to halt the deadliest conflict in Europe since the Second World War, leaving Ukraine and its European allies sidelined. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Tuesday, and later cancelled a planned trip to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, in protest against Kyiv's exclusion from the US-Russia talks.
“I'm very disappointed. I hear that they're upset about not having a seat,” Mr Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida when asked about the Ukrainian reaction.
“Today I heard, ‘Oh well, we weren’t invited,’” the President said, referring to Ukraine’s complaints. “Well, you have been there for three years. You should’ve ended it after three years. You should’ve never started it. You could’ve made a deal,” he said, appearing to suggest Kyiv should have struck an agreement to prevent Moscow's invasion about three years ago.
“They want a seat at the table, but you could say … wouldn't the people of Ukraine have a say? It's been a long time since we've had an election,” Mr Trump said. Ukraine elected Mr Zelenskyy in 2019 for a five-year term but he has remained in office beyond that as the country is still under martial law.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the meeting in Riyadh was mainly focused on US-Russia bilateral ties but that it was a “very, very important step” towards reaching a settlement on the war in Ukraine.
When asked whether he would meet Mr Putin before the end of the month, Mr Trump said “probably,” without elaborating on a date. Last week, Mr Trump announced he had a phone call with his Russian counterpart and that the two leaders had agreed to start peace talks and to travel to meet each other in Moscow and Washington. The US President then said they would hold a first meeting, most likely also in Saudi Arabia.
Asked about the possible meeting, Mr Peskov said “possibly and possibly not”. The last meeting between the US and Russia was in 2021, when Mr Putin met with former president Joe Biden.
Mr Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, was in Kyiv on Wednesday in what he said was a mission to “sit and listen” to their concerns.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.
A Prayer Before Dawn
Director: Jean-Stephane Sauvaire
Starring: Joe Cole, Somluck Kamsing, Panya Yimmumphai
Three stars
Past winners of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
2016 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2014 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2012 Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
2011 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2010 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2009 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Persuasion
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