Talks in Saudi Arabia Aim to Establish Ceasefire Between Ukraine and Russia
Ukrainian and U.S. officials will meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss a potential ceasefire with Russia, part of U.S. President Trump’s diplomatic effort. This follows earlier negotiations as Ukraine considers a 30-day truce. The Ukrainian delegation is led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, aiming for quick resolutions despite ongoing violence. The talks intend to clarify ceasefire modalities and monitoring.
Ukrainian and U.S. officials are scheduled to convene in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to explore a potential partial ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, amid a growing diplomatic initiative by U.S. President Trump to conclude the ongoing war. This event precedes discussions between the U.S. and Russian delegations set for Monday.
The meetings are part of a series of talks in Saudi Arabia, featuring prior discussions between the U.S. and Russia, followed by negotiations involving Ukraine, during which Kyiv considered a 30-day truce proposal. Defence Minister Rustem Umerov will lead the Ukrainian team at this meeting, with President Zelenskiy indicating that this leadership enables prompt and substantive actions.
Despite optimism from Kyiv, officials interpret the Riyadh meeting as a technical one. Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for Ukraine’s foreign ministry, noted that the discussions would focus on clarifying the nuances and modalities of various ceasefire regimes, alongside monitoring and control mechanisms.
Last week, Russian President Putin agreed to engage in Trump’s suggested 30-day halt to attacks on mutual energy infrastructure, yet this arrangement did not encompass a broader ceasefire that the U.S. and Kyiv favored. Trump remarked that measures to prevent further escalation in the conflict were “somewhat under control,” aiming for a comprehensive ceasefire by April 20.
On Monday, experts from Russia and the U.S. will address ensuring shipping safety in the Black Sea, according to Kremlin officials. Nevertheless, both sides continue to report strikes, with Russian forces making slow advances in eastern Ukraine. Additionally, a significant drone assault on Kyiv last night resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals, while Russian air defenses claimed to have intercepted numerous Ukrainian drones targeting southern regions.
The upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia represent a significant diplomatic effort to achieve a partial ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, building on previous discussions regarding truce proposals. Despite ongoing violence and military advances, both nations are attempting to clarify ceasefire modalities, suggesting a cautious yet hopeful approach to resolving the conflict. U.S. aspirations for a broad agreement by mid-April indicate a desire for swift progress toward peace in the region.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
