US and Ukrainian officials met in Saudi Arabia on Sunday for talks on a partial ceasefire in the ongoing war with Russia. Washington is hopeful for “real progress” in the discussions, while the Kremlin has warned that negotiations will be difficult, with a long road ahead for peace.
US President Donald Trump is pushing for a quick end to the three-year war. The talks in Riyadh, where US officials are holding separate technical-level discussions with delegations from Ukraine and Russia, are hoped to pave the way for a breakthrough.
While both sides have proposed different temporary ceasefire plans, attacks have continued without pause.
Originally scheduled to take place simultaneously to allow for shuttle diplomacy — with the US moving back and forth between the delegations — the talks are now being conducted one after the other.
The Ukrainian team, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, began their meeting with the Americans in Riyadh on Sunday evening. Umerov confirmed on Facebook that the agenda included proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure, with teams working on a number of complex technical issues. Talks between the US and Russia are set to take place on Monday.
Real Progress Expected
Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed optimism, stating that an agreement would lead to a broader ceasefire. He noted that the discussions in Saudi Arabia on Monday could result in significant progress, particularly in achieving a ceasefire regarding Black Sea shipments between both countries. He also emphasized that the goal was to stop the violence and the bloodshed.
Witkoff believes that President Putin has no intention of expanding the war beyond Ukraine, and that European leaders are starting to share that view. However, he stressed that the focus should be on ending the conflict, not on broader political matters.
Kremlin Warns of Difficult Talks
Meanwhile, the Kremlin played down hopes of a swift resolution. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Russian state TV that talks were just beginning, and that many “questions” and “nuances” remained regarding the implementation of a potential ceasefire.
Russian President Putin had already rejected the US-Ukrainian call for a full and immediate 30-day ceasefire, instead proposing a pause in attacks on energy facilities.
“There are difficult negotiations ahead,” Peskov said, adding that the discussions with the US would focus on a potential resumption of the 2022 Black Sea grain deal, which ensured safe passage for Ukrainian exports through the Black Sea.
Drone Attacks Continue
Despite the ongoing talks, both sides continued drone strikes. Ukrainian officials claimed that a Russian drone attack killed three civilians in Kyiv, with 147 drones launched in the latest assault. On the other hand, the Kremlin reported that nearly 60 Ukrainian drones were repelled overnight.
Zelensky Urges More Pressure on Russia
As Russia enters the talks amid a shift in its relations with Washington, President Zelensky called on Ukraine’s allies to increase pressure on Russia. He posted on social media that new decisions and pressure were needed to stop the attacks and bring an end to the war.
Peskov responded by emphasizing the potential for mutual cooperation between Russia and the US in various areas, despite their differences.