Optimism in Saudi Arabia: Negotiations for a Ceasefire in Ukraine
Steve Witkoff, a key advisor to former US President Donald Trump, expressed optimism about ongoing discussions in Saudi Arabia aimed at resolving the war in Ukraine. During an interview with Fox News, he shared his belief that Russian President Vladimir Putin genuinely desires peace. Witkoff has been a significant figure in these negotiations, having met with Putin twice in Moscow, although he will not attend the discussions in Saudi Arabia.
He specifically emphasized the potential for progress, particularly regarding a ceasefire in the Black Sea, which had been successfully implemented during the initial months of the conflict, allowing Ukraine to export its grain safely. "I believe that on Monday we will see real progress in Saudi Arabia, especially regarding a ceasefire in the Black Sea for ships of both countries. From there, it will be natural to move towards a total ceasefire," Witkoff noted.
Delegations from the US and Ukraine convened in Riyadh this weekend, focusing on achieving a possible ceasefire, with a meeting between US and Russian representatives scheduled for the following Monday.
This week, Putin agreed to a temporary halt of attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure but rejected a proposed 30-day ceasefire that Trump suggested as a step toward a lasting peace agreement. Ukrainian authorities, however, have accepted the idea of this ceasefire. Witkoff remarked that significant advancements towards a ceasefire have occurred recently, driven in part by phone discussions between Trump and both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In addressing criticisms of Putin's oppressive regime, Witkoff asserted that there are two sides to every narrative. He also downplayed concerns from NATO countries, particularly those on the eastern flank, regarding the potential for a ceasefire in Ukraine to legitimize Moscow's actions and prompt further aggression. "I don't see that he wants to conquer all of Europe. It is a very different situation than World War II. Back then, NATO didn’t exist. Now there are armed nations. I simply take him at his word on this point, and I think the Europeans are starting to believe it too," he commented.
The main objective for the US in Monday's talks is to persuade Moscow to accept the 30-day ceasefire, a gesture which Ukraine has already endorsed. The White House seeks a ceasefire before April 20, a date that holds symbolic significance due to its coincidence with Easter in both Western and Orthodox traditions.
Despite the ongoing diplomatic efforts, violence persists in the region. Early reports indicated that a Russian drone assault on Kyiv resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals, including a five-year-old girl, just hours before negotiations were set to begin in Saudi Arabia. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched an attack overnight utilizing 147 Iranian Shahed drones, with 97 of those intercepted across various regions, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Odesa, and Donetsk.
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