A delegation from the United States is currently engaged in discussions with Kremlin negotiators in Saudi Arabia, where the Trump administration is advocating for advancements towards a ceasefire in separate negotiations involving Russia and Ukraine. This comes in the wake of recent Russian strikes that have resulted in numerous injuries in Ukraine, including among children.
This critical meeting follows a day after a productive session between a US team, which included officials from the State Department, the National Security Council, and members of Ukraine Special Envoy Keith Kellogg’s team, and Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who characterized the discussions as “productive and focused.”
The primary focus of Monday’s discussions will be the “Black Sea Initiative and all related aspects of its renewal,” particularly concerning “navigation safety,” as stated by the Kremlin.
Earlier in the conflict, the Black Sea Grain Initiative facilitated the secure export of Ukrainian grain through Black Sea routes. However, Russia exited this agreement, which was mediated by Turkey and the United Nations, in 2023, citing challenges in exporting its own food products.
The US delegation, led by real estate mogul-turned-diplomat Steve Witkoff, is exploring the possibility of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and is optimistic that the initial positive momentum in peace talks can lead to a broader 30-day truce and extended negotiations. However, significant differences in expectations remain between Russia, Ukraine, and their US counterparts.
Russian Assault on Sumy Results in Numerous Injuries
As diplomatic discussions persist, so do the assaults on Ukraine. Regional officials reported on Monday morning that Russian strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least four civilians within the past 24 hours and have left many others injured, including a pregnant woman.
On Monday, a Russian missile targeted a “densely populated” residential area in the northeastern city of Sumy, injuring 74 individuals, among whom were at least 14 children, according to Ukrainian authorities. Acting Mayor of Sumy, Artem Kobzar, stated on Telegram: “The residential sector and infrastructure, including facilities for children and a hospital, sustained damage.”
Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to temporarily cease attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine following an extensive phone conversation with US President Donald Trump last week, assaults on civilian sites have continued. Ukraine has also retaliated against Russian forces.
On Friday, Russia and Ukraine exchanged accusations regarding an attack on a gas metering station located in Russia’s Kursk region, just a few hundred meters from their mutual border.
During the discussions held on Monday at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Riyadh, the Russian delegation featured experienced Kremlin diplomat Grigory Karasin and former intelligence chief Sergey Beseda, as reported by Russian state media. Beseda is perceived by many in Ukraine as a staunch nationalist and an early advocate for Russia’s comprehensive invasion that began in February 2022.
Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova remarked on Monday regarding the negotiations, stating, “We should not merely anticipate breakthroughs but recognize that efforts are ongoing in several areas.”
Ukrainian representative Umerov announced on Monday that “another meeting with the US delegation is scheduled” in Saudi Arabia.
The trust deficit from the Ukrainian perspective has been exacerbated by Witkoff’s recent vocal support for several of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s more extreme positions prior to the talks. In a conversation with podcast host Tucker Carlson on Sunday, Witkoff seemed to express some understanding of Russia’s territorial claims in Ukraine, referring to the four regions that Russia aims to formally annex—Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk—as “Russian speaking.”
He stated, “There have been referendums where the overwhelming majority of the people have indicated that they want to be under Russian rule.”
Russia conducted these referendums in the occupied regions of the four territories in September 2022. The votes were widely regarded as fraudulent and faced significant criticism from the United States and its European allies at the time.
Witkoff posed a critical question on Sunday: “The Russians are effectively in control of these territories. The question is: Will the world recognize them as Russian territories? Can (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky maintain his political standing if he acknowledges this? This is the central issue in the conflict.”
Moscow has asserted that a ceasefire cannot be achieved unless Kyiv consents to refrain from using it to resupply or reorganize its military forces. Additionally, Russia has publicly stated essential demands, including that Ukraine must never be permitted to join NATO.
In remarks made on Sunday evening, Zelensky placed the onus on Putin to bring the conflict to a close.