Long Negotiations on Ukraine Ceasefire Yield Mixed Signals
A pivotal meeting between U.S. and Russian officials aimed at achieving a partial ceasefire in Ukraine concluded after 12 hours of intense discussions in Saudi Arabia on March 24. Reports from Russian state media indicate that a joint statement is expected to summarize the negotiations. While U.S. and Russian delegates met in Riyadh, a mere day's wait was in store for the Ukrainian negotiating team, who were reportedly preparing for a further meeting with the U.S. delegation, a move suggesting possible advancements in the talks.
The discussions were significant given that President Donald Trump is advocating for a rapid resolution to the three-year conflict, hopeful that these negotiations could lead to meaningful progress. The backdrop to this diplomatic effort, however, was marred by violence, as nearly 90 individuals, including 17 children, were injured in a missile attack in Sumy, a densely populated city in northeastern Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, noting damage to residential buildings and educational facilities.
Initial frameworks for the talks began with a proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, which had previously been dismissed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The continued discussions seem to revolve around an initiative to resume the Black Sea Initiative, a crucial agreement facilitating the export of millions of metric tons of grain and other food from Ukraine's ports. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that the agenda includes all elements related to reinstating this initiative, one conceptualized during Putin's dialogue with Trump.
The negotiations faced structural changes, initially intended to proceed concurrently but shifted to sequential meetings instead, indicative of the complexities involved. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov characterized previous discussions with the U.S. team as productive, while Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed optimism that the outcomes would facilitate a transition to a full ceasefire. Peskov, however, tempered expectations, suggesting that the path ahead would be challenging, and underscored the need for sustained dialogue.
Following Putin's earlier rejection of a complete ceasefire, which included a focus on energy infrastructure, the ongoing conversations are framed within a context of cautious anticipation by both parties involved. Additional skirmishes persisted, with drone attacks ongoing before negotiations commenced.
Simultaneously, British and French defense officials convened in London to strategize on securing any potential ceasefire agreement through what has been termed a coalition of the willing, hinting at possible deployment of allied troops in Ukraine to ensure any deal is effectively monitored. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have expressed readiness to contribute military presence if necessary, aiming to solidify the framework of an international response to any potential ceasefire agreement.
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