Officials from the US and Russia convened in Saudi Arabia to deliberate on a partial ceasefire in Ukraine, a day following discussions between US and Ukrainian representatives, as President Donald Trump advocates for a swift resolution to the conflict.
The US and Russian delegations engaged in private discussions at a hotel in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, with the potential revitalization of a Black Sea ceasefire proposal from 2022 being a focal point of their talks.
According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the negotiations are centering around technical matters, which include the Black Sea Initiative aimed at ensuring the security of maritime shipping in the area.
A source from Ukraine mentioned that the Ukrainian representatives, having met with US officials at the same location yesterday, are anticipating a follow-up meeting with the US today, indicating that progress may have been realized.
The talks between US and Russian officials occurred in secrecy at the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh.
The Kremlin has stated that both Russia and the US share a mutual understanding of the necessity to pursue a settlement to end the war in Ukraine, though it acknowledged that numerous differing elements remain to be addressed.
Earlier this month in Jeddah, just days after President Volodymyr Zelensky’s public disagreement with Donald Trump in the White House, Ukraine accepted a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire, which was subsequently rejected by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Officials are currently evaluating the possibility of resuming the Black Sea Initiative, a year-long agreement that facilitated the export of millions of tonnes of grain and other food supplies from Ukrainian ports.
“The topic of the Black Sea Initiative and every aspect associated with its renewal is part of today’s agenda,” Mr. Peskov stated during his daily briefing.
“This was a proposal from President Trump, which President Putin consented to. Our delegation arrived in Riyadh with this mandate,” he continued.
The two discussions were initially set to occur simultaneously to facilitate shuttle diplomacy, allowing the United States to alternate between the two delegations.
Leading the US team is Andrew Peek, a senior director at the White House National Security Council, along with senior State Department official Michael Anton, according to a knowledgeable source.
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, heading the Ukrainian delegation, expressed that the first round of discussions, which wrapped up late yesterday, was “productive and focused”.
“We covered essential points, including energy,” Mr. Umerov reported on social media.
Mr. Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff has expressed enthusiasm that any agreements reached would lead to a “full-on” ceasefire.
“I believe that real progress will be visible in Saudi Arabia on Monday, particularly concerning a Black Sea ceasefire involving ships from both nations, and this will naturally progress towards a complete cessation of hostilities,” he told Fox News.
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‘Only at the beginning,’ says Russia
However, Russia has tempered expectations regarding a swift resolution.
“We are merely at the outset of this journey,” Mr. Peskov commented on Russian state television yesterday, adding, “There are challenging negotiations ahead.”
Mr. Putin rejected the joint US-Ukrainian request for an immediate and comprehensive 30-day pause, instead suggesting a cessation of assaults on energy facilities.
Russia exited the Black Sea Initiative—facilitated by Turkey and the United Nations in 2023—citing that the West had failed to fulfill commitments to alleviate sanctions on Russia’s agricultural exports and fertilizers.
A senior Ukrainian official previously indicated that Ukraine would propose a more extensive ceasefire encompassing assaults on energy infrastructure and naval attacks.
Both parties launched renewed drone strikes on the eve of the negotiations.
A building in Kyiv damaged in Russian airstrikes over the weekend.
Deadly Russian attack targets Kyiv
Ukrainian officials reported that a Russian drone assault overnight on Saturday resulted in the deaths of three civilians in Kyiv, including a five-year-old girl and her father.
Reporters in the capital observed emergency personnel attending to the injured early yesterday in front of residential buildings that sustained damage during the strike.
Fatal strikes on the heavily fortified city are less common than in other areas of the country.
Russia approaches the Saudi discussions following a rapprochement with the US under Mr. Trump, which has enhanced confidence within the Kremlin.
Mr. Peskov remarked yesterday that the “potential for mutually beneficial cooperation across a wide range of areas between our nations cannot be overstated.”
“While we may have disagreements on various issues, that does not imply we should forgo opportunities for mutual benefit,” he concluded.
