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.

When it comes to the war in Ukraine, President Trump finds common cause with the world’s outlier states and stands against traditional U.S. allies like Britain, France, Germany, Canada, Japan and Italy.

At the United Nations, the U.S. joined Russia, Iran, North Korea and 14 other Moscow allies to vote against a resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine and calling for the return of Ukrainian territory. The nonbinding resolution passed with the backing of 93 countries.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that talks with Russia and Ukraine on a peace deal are "very well advanced" and credited Russia for its actions in the talks, as he met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House.