In a significant development, US and Ukrainian officials recently concluded a series of “productive and focused” discussions in Saudi Arabia aimed at de-escalating the ongoing conflict with Russia. Meanwhile, a Russian delegation is slated to engage in separate talks with US representatives.
US President Donald Trump is advocating for a swift resolution to the three-year conflict, hopeful that the conversations in Riyadh can lead to meaningful advancements. However, the Kremlin has signaled that “difficult negotiations” lie ahead, reminding us that achieving peace may not be straightforward.
Despite various proposals for temporary ceasefires from both sides, military actions persist. In the early hours of the morning, Russian forces targeted Kyiv and its surrounding Oblast with Shahed-type drones, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Initially, the discussions were designed to occur simultaneously to facilitate shuttle diplomacy, allowing US officials to navigate between the conflicting parties. However, the technical talks regarding a potential partial truce have shifted to a sequential format, reflecting the evolving dynamics.
“The discussion was productive and focused,” noted a representative on social media, adding that they prioritized critical issues such as energy. Ukraine remains committed to realizing a vision of a “just and lasting peace,” with proposals on protecting energy facilities and essential infrastructure taking center stage.
In an evening address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Russia, stating that, “Russia is the only one who is dragging this war out.” He emphasized the need for concerted pressure on President Putin to initiate a halt to the strikes: “The one who brought this war must take it away.”
As discussions between the United States and Russia are anticipated for tomorrow, Russian state media have confirmed that their delegation has arrived in Riyadh. Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed optimism, declaring, “I think you’re going to see some real progress, particularly regarding a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between both countries. From there, we can naturally move towards a more comprehensive ceasefire.”
Nonetheless, the Kremlin has tempered expectations for a quick resolution. “We are only at the beginning of this path,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov cautioned in an interview, pointing to numerous unresolved questions surrounding a potential ceasefire.
President Putin has dismissed a joint US-Ukrainian proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire, suggesting a limited halt only on attacks targeting energy infrastructure instead.
“There are difficult negotiations ahead,” Mr. Peskov reiterated, emphasizing that the primary focus will be on potentially resuming the 2022 Black Sea grain deal, which had previously ensured safe navigation for Ukrainian agricultural exports.
“On Monday, we mainly intend to discuss the possibility of resuming the so-called Black Sea initiative, and our negotiators will be prepared to explore the nuances surrounding this issue,” Mr. Peskov stated.
After Russia withdrew from the grain deal, brokered by Turkey and the United Nations in 2023, it accused the West of failing to honor commitments related to easing sanctions on Russian agricultural exports and fertilizers.
A senior Ukrainian official has indicated that Kyiv plans to advocate for a more comprehensive ceasefire, encompassing attacks on energy facilities, infrastructure, and naval operations. As negotiations approached, both sides launched new drone strikes.
Tragically, Ukrainian officials reported that a Russian drone attack claimed the lives of three civilians in Kyiv, including a five-year-old girl and her father. Emergency workers were seen treating victims in front of damaged residential buildings early Sunday morning.
Although Kyiv, being a well-protected city, experiences fewer strikes compared to other regions, the intensity of the conflict was evident as Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 147 drones in the latest assault.
President Zelensky urged allies to amplify pressure on Russia. “New decisions and new pressure on Moscow are essential to bring an end to these strikes and this war,” he asserted on social media.
In response, Russia reported intercepting nearly 60 Ukrainian drones overnight, though the fallout from these actions echoed on both sides of the border. Tragically, reports emerged of civilian fatalities in Russia, with one man killed due to drone debris and another casualty in the Belgorod border region.
In a rare battlefield success, Ukraine’s military announced the capture of a small village in the eastern Lugansk region. As Russia enters the Saudi discussions, it does so buoyed by a recently improved relationship with the US under President Trump.
Mr. Peskov remarked on the potential for “mutually beneficial cooperation” between the two nations, stating, “We may disagree on some issues, but that does not mean we should deprive ourselves of mutual benefit.”
As the international community awaits the outcomes of these negotiations, the hope for peace hangs precariously in the balance.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
