US, Russian Officials Hold Talks Amid Tension

Russian and U.S. officials held unannounced talks in the Turkish capital Ankara on Monday.

The Russian newspaper Kommersant reported, citing an unnamed source.

This comes amid high tension between both countries over the war in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, a White House statement said the US has been open about communicating with Russia on managing risks, especially nuclear ones.

It added; "As part of this effort Bill Burns is in Ankara today to meet with his Russian intelligence counterpart.

"He is not conducting negotiations of any kind, he's conveying a message on the consequences of the use of nuclear weapons.

"We briefed Ukraine in advance on his trip. We firmly stick to our fundamental principle: nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine."

Turkey has often presented itself as an arbiter between Russia and the West since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In July, it helped the United Nations broker an agreement between Russia and Ukraine on exporting grain from blockaded Black Sea ports.