US and Russian officials have started discussions in Saudi Arabia regarding a partial ceasefire in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
These talks come a day after US and Ukrainian delegates held their own meeting, as Washington pushes for a resolution to the three-year conflict.
US President Donald Trump is advocating for a swift end to the war and hopes the Riyadh discussions will lead to meaningful progress.
Both sides have proposed different approaches to temporary ceasefires, though hostilities continue across the region.
Initially, the talks were expected to run simultaneously to allow for shuttle diplomacy, with the US negotiating between the delegations.
However, the discussions are now taking place sequentially.
Russia’s TASS news agency reported at approximately 0730 GMT that negotiations between US and Russian officials had commenced.
The Ukrainian delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, concluded its meeting with American representatives late Sunday night.
“The discussion was productive and focused — we addressed key points including energy,” Umerov shared on social media, emphasizing Ukraine’s commitment to achieving a “just and lasting peace.”
Meanwhile, in Kharkiv, Valentyna Guk sifted through debris from a heavily damaged building on March 7, searching for glass fragments to use in a mosaic, highlighting the war’s devastating impact.
Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed optimism about the talks, suggesting that any agreement reached could lay the groundwork for a more comprehensive ceasefire.
