You're listening to the Global News podcast from the BBC World Service.

Hello, I'm Oliver Conway. This edition is published in the early hours of Wednesday, the 19th of February.

We'll have more reaction to the dramatic reset in relations between the US and Russia,

as they agree to press ahead with negotiations on the war in Ukraine despite excluding Kiev from their talks.

Israelis learn the fate of the youngest hostages in Gaza. And a British couple arrested in Iran

last month have been charged with spying. Also in the podcast? A bomb fell on the child, killing his parents. It was the M23 who dropped the bomb, and I lost six members of my family.

We have a special report from Eastern Congo. And forget dentures, could we soon grow replacement teeth?

But first, according to leaked intelligence from February 22, Vladimir Putin believed his invasion forces could overthrow the Ukrainian government within three days. In the end,

his troops were stopped at the gates of Kiev. But three years on, with hundreds of thousands dead on both sides,

the Russian leader now appears to have the upper hand after seemingly winning over Donald Trump.

The first tangible sign of the new reality came in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday,

as the top Russian and American diplomats met in Riyat. Our correspondent, Tom Bateman, was there.

Here was the US, the biggest single backer and armed supplier of Ukraine,

sitting down with its friend's enemy.

Afterwards, the US delegation, led by Mr Rubio,

described the discussions as upbeat.

The Americans said they agreed four principles with the Russians,

maintaining talks between the delegations,

restoring broader diplomatic ties,

enabling teams to work on a path to end the war in Ukraine,

and then what the US called historic economic and investment opportunities with Russia.

But what of any concessions being demanded of Moscow?

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