Negotiators from the United States and Russia have initiated discussions in Saudi Arabia, aiming to advance a comprehensive ceasefire in Ukraine. The talks in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, follow negotiations with US and Ukrainian delegates, promoting President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the three-year conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Leading the Russian delegation is Sergei Beseda, a veteran of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), alongside diplomat Grigory Karasin, who has held posts as deputy foreign minister and ambassador to the UK. The US envoy, Steve Witcoff, expressed optimism for the potential of a full ceasefire from the discussions in Saudi Arabia, stating that visible progress could be expected, particularly regarding a Black Sea ceasefire that may subsequently lead to a broader end to hostilities.
However, the Kremlin has expressed a more reserved outlook, emphasizing that the negotiations are just the beginning and will encounter challenges.
This latest round of talks follows increased diplomatic activities by the Trump administration to broker a peace agreement. The discussions between the US and Ukraine before the Saudi meetings focused on protecting critical infrastructure from attacks, with differing stances on which infrastructures would be included under a potential truce.
US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz highlighted that the talks would address a Black Sea maritime ceasefire, aiming to resume trade and exports in the region. The talks may also revisit the 2022 Black Sea grain deal that Moscow withdrew from, citing Western sanctions against Russia.
Additionally, the meeting will contend with the fragile ceasefire regarding energy infrastructure, following Putin and Zelenskyy’s agreement to refrain from attacks on each other’s territories for 30 days. Despite these pledges, both sides have accused the other of violations since March 18, making this a critical topic in Monday’s discussions.
The potential for a month-long ceasefire is also on the table, though Putin has raised concerns about monitoring such an arrangement across a large area and demanded a halt in arms supplies to Ukraine and a suspension of Ukraine’s military mobilization.
Waltz suggested that these technical challenges could be addressed during the meeting, touching upon the demarcation of control lines, verification mechanisms, and peacekeeping.
The return of Ukrainian children is another point that could be discussed as part of confidence-building measures.
Conversations regarding Ukraine’s European allies are less clear, as Trump’s engagement with Putin without involving his European counterparts initially strained relations. Nonetheless, Europe remains a vital piece of the larger negotiation puzzle, with some leaders proposing a “coalition of the willing” to devise peace terms and present them to the US, a suggestion that was dismissed by Trump’s envoy as “posture and pose.”
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/24/us-russia-talks-on-ukraine-war-whats-on-the-table-in-saudi-arabia?traffic_source=rss
