Ukraine, US to meet in Riyadh following Russia-US Black Sea ceasefire talks

Ukrainian and U.S. delegations are set to meet on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, following a day of talks between Russian and U.S. officials in Riyadh aimed at advancing a limited ceasefire proposal for the Black Sea.

The discussions are part of President Donald Trump’s broader efforts to quickly end the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has been raging for three years.

U.S. and Russian officials have been negotiating since Monday, with progress reportedly being made. A White House source noted that a "positive announcement" could be expected soon. Meanwhile, a Russian source confirmed that a draft joint statement had been sent to both Moscow and Washington for approval, with a public release anticipated on Tuesday. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated earlier that no documents would be signed during the talks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed in his nightly address that Ukrainian officials will meet with the U.S. team in Riyadh after the conclusion of the Russia-U.S. discussions. Ukrainian sources indicated that the meeting would take place on Tuesday.

The talks come after Russia rejected a proposal for a full 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, with Moscow agreeing only to a moratorium on attacking energy infrastructure. Trump has listed several key issues on the table, including territorial lines, demarcation, and power plant ownership, signaling potential areas of negotiation.

As the talks took place, both Russia and Ukraine continued their military operations. Ukraine reported that a Russian missile strike wounded at least 88 people, while Moscow accused Ukraine of targeting an attack that killed two journalists and their driver. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized Russia's approach, saying, “Moscow speaks of peace while carrying out brutal strikes on densely populated residential areas in major Ukrainian cities."

The talks in Saudi Arabia are expected to focus initially on securing a maritime truce in the Black Sea, allowing for the free flow of shipping. Despite maritime battles being less central to the war since 2023, following Ukrainian attacks that forced Moscow to relocate its navy, the issue remains important for safety and trade.

While the discussions in Riyadh are seen as a step forward in finding a resolution, major European powers remain skeptical, doubting whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to make real concessions. Putin has stated that peace talks will require Ukraine to drop its NATO ambitions and withdraw troops from territories Russia has annexed. The U.S., Russian, and Ukrainian delegations are all currently stationed in the same facility in Riyadh, working toward possible agreements on a ceasefire and verification measures for peacekeeping.

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