Officials from the US and Ukraine have concluded “productive and focused” discussions in Saudi Arabia aimed at de-escalating the conflict with Russia, whose representatives are scheduled to engage in separate talks with the US.
US President Donald Trump is advocating for a swift resolution to the three-year conflict and is optimistic that the discussions in Riyadh can lead to a significant breakthrough. However, the Kremlin has cautioned that “difficult negotiations” lie ahead.
Despite various proposals for temporary ceasefires from both sides, hostilities have persisted without interruption.
Russia launched attacks on Kyiv and Oblast using Shahed-type drones in the early morning hours.
Initially intended to occur simultaneously to facilitate shuttle diplomacy, the technical-level discussions regarding a partial truce are now taking place sequentially rather than concurrently.
“The discussions were constructive and concentrated on key issues such as energy,” he remarked on social media, emphasizing Ukraine’s commitment to achieving a “just and lasting peace.”
Mr. Umerov had earlier indicated that the protection of energy facilities and essential infrastructure would be discussed during the talks.
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In a late evening address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that “Russia is the sole party prolonging this war.”
“Regardless of our discussions with partners, we must compel Putin to issue a genuine order to halt the strikes: the one who initiated this war must be the one to conclude it,” he declared.
Talks between the United States and Russia are scheduled for tomorrow, with Russian state media reporting that the Russian delegation has arrived in Riyadh.
Envoy Steve Witkoff expressed hope that any agreement reached would lead to a “full-on” ceasefire.
“I believe we will witness substantial progress in Saudi Arabia on Monday, particularly regarding a potential ceasefire in the Black Sea affecting shipping between both nations. This should naturally evolve into a full shooting ceasefire,” he told Fox News.
However, the Kremlin has tempered expectations for a quick resolution, stating that discussions are just commencing.
“We are merely at the start of this journey,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian state television.
He noted that several critical questions remain concerning the implementation of a potential ceasefire.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed a joint US-Ukrainian request for an immediate 30-day ceasefire, suggesting instead a suspension of attacks solely on energy facilities.
Emergency responders at the site of a drone strike in the Dniprovskyi district of Kyiv.
“Difficult negotiations are ahead,” Mr. Peskov stated in an interview shared on social media.
He added that the principal focus of talks with the United States would be the potential revival of the 2022 Black Sea grain agreement, which ensured safe navigation for Ukrainian agricultural exports via the Black Sea.
“On Monday, we primarily intend to discuss President Putin’s willingness to resume the so-called Black Sea initiative, and our negotiators will be prepared to address the specifics surrounding this issue,” Mr. Peskov said.
Russia withdrew from the agreement, facilitated by Turkey and the United Nations, in 2023, accusing the West of failing to honor commitments to alleviate sanctions on Russian agricultural products and fertilizers.
A senior Ukrainian official had previously informed AFP that Kyiv would put forth a broader ceasefire proposal, encompassing attacks on energy facilities, infrastructure, and naval operations.
Both factions initiated fresh drone attacks just before the negotiations.
Ukrainian officials indicated that a Russian drone strike resulted in the deaths of three civilians in Kyiv, including a five-year-old girl and her father.
AFP journalists in the capital observed emergency responders tending to the injured in the early hours of Sunday in front of damaged residential structures affected by the attack.
Fatal strikes in the heavily fortified capital are less frequent compared to other regions of the country.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 147 drones during its most recent assault.
Mr. Zelensky urged allies to increase pressure on Russia.
“We need new decisions and renewed pressure on Moscow to put an end to these strikes and this war,” he advocated on social media.
Russia claimed it intercepted nearly 60 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Officials noted that one individual died in southern Russia’s Rostov region when his vehicle was ignited by falling drone debris, while a woman was killed in a drone attack in the Belgorod border area.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military reported seizing a small village in the eastern Lugansk region, marking a rare battlefield success for its struggling forces.
As Russia heads into the Saudi talks, confidence in the Kremlin has been bolstered by a thaw in relations with the United States under Donald Trump.
Mr. Peskov asserted that the “potential for mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas between our nations cannot be underestimated.”
“While we may have differing viewpoints, that should not prevent us from pursuing mutual benefit,” he concluded.
