Why is the recent U.S.-Russia meeting significant in the context of the Ukraine war?

This meeting marks a pivotal moment in the Russia-Ukraine war as it represents the first time since the Russian invasion that American and Russian officials have met directly without Ukrainian representation. President Volodymyr Zelensky was notably excluded from these talks, which occurred in Saudi Arabia. The significance of this diplomatic development lies in its departure from previous protocol where Ukraine would typically be involved in discussions about its own sovereignty. This exclusion has raised concerns among European leaders about potential agreements that might be made without Ukrainian input, echoing historical instances where great powers have made decisions affecting smaller nations without their participation.