US and Russia Discuss Ceasefire in Saudi Arabia Amid Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine
US and Russian officials have initiated talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at negotiating a limited ceasefire in Ukraine, as former President Donald Trump attempts to foster what Washington hopes will lead to enduring peace in the region. Following Trump's discussions with the leaders of Ukraine and Russia last week, both nations reportedly agreed in principle to a one-month cessation of attacks on energy infrastructure. However, several uncertainties linger regarding the timing and broader implications of this partial ceasefire, including its potential extension to critical sites like hospitals and bridges.
The US delegation, led by special envoy Steve Witkoff, held preliminary discussions with Ukraine on Sunday evening before engaging in separate talks with Russian representatives on Monday. Most of these high-stakes meetings were conducted at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh, where Russian state media reported that discussions continued for over eight hours.
In a podcast with right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson, Witkoff expressed cautious optimism about finalizing arrangements for a 30-day ceasefire, during which both parties could negotiate a more permanent solution. However, as diplomatic efforts unfold, Moscow is reportedly taking advantage of the situation, launching mass drone strikes across Ukraine. Ukrainian officials noted that a recent Russian missile attack damaged a school and a hospital in the northeastern city of Sumy, injuring at least 74 people, including 13 children.
Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine's foreign minister, condemned Russia's actions, stating that Moscow's discourse around peace contrasts sharply with its brutal attacks on civilian areas. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded with a commitment to negotiate constructively and indicated plans to provide the US with a list of energy infrastructures to be excluded from potential strikes.
Zelenskyy emphasized the ongoing talks as part of a directive to pursue a just peace and enhance security. Ukraine's defense minister, Rustem Umerov, reinforced this goal on social media, asserting a commitment to closer collaboration with US officials.
Representing Russia in the discussions are Sergey Beseda, an advisor to the FSB, and Grigory Karasin, an experienced diplomat from the Minsk accords. Meanwhile, Trump has expressed expectation of a forthcoming revenue-sharing agreement involving Ukraine's critical minerals, although he also indicated that the US is discussing the possibility of American companies owning Ukrainian power plants. Zelenskyy, however, has dismissed this notion, creating tension over US interests in Ukraine's energy sector.
Compounding the diplomatic landscape, Witkoff has made controversial statements legitimizing Russia's staged referendums in four Ukrainian regions, which have drawn widespread condemnation as illegitimate from the West. In his recent interview with Carlson, Witkoff claimed that there was a significant desire among local populations for Russian governance in those regions, a position that further complicates US and European negotiations and could provoke anxiety in Ukraine.
In an interview with Time magazine, Zelenskyy expressed concerns about certain US officials taking Russian narratives at face value, a shift he links to Russia's purported influence over some members of the White House team. He cautioned that misleading signals about Ukraine's willingness to end the war could destabilize efforts for sincere negotiations.
Despite the ongoing talks, both Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on acceptable terms for a peace agreement, with Kyiv firmly rejecting Moscow's maximalist demands, which include ceasing all foreign military support for Ukraine and recognizing the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories. Additionally, Moscow has insisted on the absence of Western troops in Ukraine—an aspect that Ukraine considers critical to ensuring lasting security assurances.
Ukraine's skepticism about Russia's intentions is palpable, particularly given Moscow's historical pattern of failing to uphold commitments. The landscape of diplomacy is fraught with uncertainty, as both sides navigate the complicated dynamics of war, peace talks, and shifting international alliances.
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