US and Ukrainian officials met on Sunday to further discuss a potential ceasefire in Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Despite Washington’s hopes for significant progress, Moscow warned that challenging negotiations lay ahead. These discussions, taking place in Saudi Arabia, would also include a separate meeting with Russian officials on Monday. The main focus is on establishing a broad ceasefire in Ukraine by 20 April, though this timeline may be adjusted due to the significant differences in positions between Kyiv and Moscow.

During these discussions, the US special envoy, Steve Witcoff, expressed optimism about collaborating with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the conflict, which is the deadliest in Europe since World War II. Witcoff also mentioned the possibility of a ceasefire on energy infrastructure in the Black Sea, which could potentially lead to a full cessation of hostilities.

The White House’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, stated that the US was also exploring a range of confidence-building measures, including the fate of Ukrainian children taken to Russia. However, the Kremlin was quick to temper expectations, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicating that difficult negotiations were expected.

Moscow’s primary focus in the talks is on re-establishing a 2022 Black Sea grain deal, which allowed for the safe navigation of Ukrainian farm exports. The deal was terminated by Moscow in 2023 due to claims that the West had not sufficiently eased sanctions on Russia’s exports of farm produce and fertilizers.

Witcoff, despite his lack of prior diplomatic experience, showed optimism regarding Putin’s intentions, believing that he is seeking peace. He downplayed fears of a broader Russian aggression, emphasizing the need to focus on stopping the conflict.

Lastly, Witkoff’s recent interview with Tucker Carlson revealed that Putin had commissioned a portrait of Trump, expressing a friendship between the two figures. This information was criticized by some, who saw it as a sign of manipulation by Putin. Despite this, Witcoff envisions a future where the US and Russia collaborate on global issues like energy policies, Arctic sea lanes, LNG supplies, and artificial intelligence.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/23/gulf-in-us-and-russian-expectations-marks-start-of-latest-ceasefire-talks