Ukraine and U.S. Officials to Negotiate Ceasefire Talks in Saudi Arabia
Ukrainian and U.S. officials will meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss a potential partial ceasefire with Russia, part of President Trump’s diplomatic efforts to conclude three years of war. The meeting follows prior talks and comes amidst ongoing military actions, including recent drone attacks. The goal is to establish a broader ceasefire by April 20, 2025.
Ukrainian and American officials are scheduled to convene in Saudi Arabia for discussions aimed at establishing a potential partial ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. This meeting, occurring late on Sunday, marks an aspect of U.S. President Donald Trump’s intensified diplomatic efforts to conclude three years of conflict. Notably, it will precede upcoming talks between American and Russian delegations set for Monday.
This series of negotiations follows previous discussions in Saudi Arabia, initially between U.S. and Russian representatives, and subsequently between U.S. and Ukrainian officials, resulting in Kyiv accepting a 30-day truce proposal. Ukraine’s delegation will be led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy indicating that this leadership facilitates swift and substantive action.
Ukrainian officials have characterized the Riyadh meeting as predominantly technical in nature. Heorhii Tykhyi, the spokesperson for the foreign ministry, emphasized that the aim is to clarify the details and modalities of potential ceasefire regimes, including monitoring and controlling mechanisms.
Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin recently endorsed Trump’s proposal to halt attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days, although this fell short of a more comprehensive truce that the U.S. and Kyiv were pursuing. On Saturday, Trump remarked that efforts to mitigate escalation in the Ukraine-Russia conflict were “somewhat under control.”
There is a pressing goal to achieve a wider ceasefire within weeks, particularly by April 20, as reported by Bloomberg News. Russian and U.S. experts will discuss critical issues such as ensuring the safety of shipping in the Black Sea during the upcoming negotiations in Saudi Arabia. However, ongoing military actions persist; both countries indicated continued strikes amidst claims of Russian advances in eastern Ukraine.
Recent developments include a significant Russian drone assault on Kyiv, resulting in fatalities including that of a child, while Russian sources reported the destruction of numerous Ukrainian drones targeting southwestern regions, which culminated in casualties.
In summary, the meeting between Ukrainian and U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia aims to explore a potential partial ceasefire with Russia, amid ongoing military hostilities. The discussions follow a series of prior negotiations and are framed within President Trump’s broader diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. Despite some optimistic developments, the situation remains volatile with continued strikes reported in both Ukraine and Russia.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
