US and Ukrainian officials met in Saudi Arabia for talks on a partial ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

US and Ukraine meet for ceasefire talks:

On Sunday, US and Ukrainian officials met in Saudi Arabia to discuss a partial ceasefire in the war with Russia. The United States hopes for real progress. However, the Kremlin warns that peace will take time and negotiations will be difficult.

Trump wants to end the three-year war quickly. He believes that the discussions in Riyadh could be fruitful. US officials are holding separate meetings with delegations from Ukraine and Russia, thus hoping to find common ground.

Ceasefire proposals and continued attacks:

Ukraine and Russia offered different ceasefire plans. Despite different plans, the fight continued. Originally, the talks were planned as shuttle diplomacy, where US negotiators would move between both delegations. However, the meetings are now taking place one after another.

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The Ukrainian delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, began talks with US officials on Sunday evening. Umerov stated that their discussion focused on protecting energy facilities and critical infrastructure. The US and Russia will hold their meeting on Monday.

Caution from Russia:

Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed hope that the talks would lead to a full ceasefire. He believes that progress in securing a Black Sea ceasefire will naturally lead to a broader truce. He said, “You will see real progress in Saudi Arabia on Monday.”

Witkoff dismissed fears that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to invade other European countries. Witkoff said that we want to end the war and spread peace. He also added, “The goal is to stop the killing and end this conflict.”

However, Russia remains cautious. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the negotiations are still in the early stages. Peskov told state media, “There are many questions and details to discuss before any ceasefire can be implemented.”

Putin, however, clarified that Russia will not accept a 30-day ceasefire proposal. He also called for halting attacks on energy infrastructure. Peskov warned that “difficult negotiations” lie ahead.

Black Sea grain deal in focus:

One of Russia’s key concerns is the resumption of the Black Sea grain deal. The 2022 agreement, which allowed Ukrainian farm exports to move safely through the Black Sea, was brokered by Turkey and the United Nations but collapsed in 2023 when Russia withdrew.

Peskov stated that Russia’s main goal in the talks with the US is to discuss reviving this deal. Moscow claims that Western countries failed to ease sanctions on Russia’s agricultural exports, leading to its withdrawal.

Rising tensions before talks:

Ukraine has proposed a broader ceasefire. It includes a halt to attacks on energy facilities, infrastructure, and naval strikes. However, both sides continued air raids before the negotiations.

On Sunday, Ukrainian officials reported that a Russian drone attack killed three civilians in Kyiv. They also claimed Russia had launched 147 drones in the latest assault. Meanwhile, the Kremlin said it had intercepted nearly 60 Ukrainian drones overnight.

As Russia enters the talks with improved relations with Washington under Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urges allies to increase pressure on Moscow. Zelensky posted on social media, “New decisions and stronger actions are needed to end these attacks and this war.”