A meeting between Russian and US officials regarding a partial ceasefire in Ukraine concluded after 12 hours of negotiations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as reported by Russian state media. This development comes amidst a surge of fresh attacks in the ongoing conflict, with both sides exchanging hostilities.
During the negotiations held at a luxury hotel in Riyadh, a missile attack in Sumy, northeastern Ukraine, left nearly 90 people injured, including 17 children, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The attack specifically targeted a densely populated residential area, damaging apartments and an educational facility, with local officials also noting that a nearby hospital was affected.
In a separate incident reported by Russian media, two journalists and their driver were killed when their vehicle was struck in what Moscow refers to as the “zone of the special military operation.” Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is advocating for a swift resolution to the three-year conflict, believing that the discussions in Saudi Arabia might lead to significant progress.
The Ukrainian negotiating team intends to remain in Riyadh for an additional day to engage with US representatives. Sources indicate that another meeting could take place, suggesting that some advancements may have occurred during the talks. Russian state-run TASS news agency reported that the US meeting concluded after over 12 hours, with a joint statement on the findings expected to be released on Tuesday.
In a prior round of discussions held in Jeddah, Ukraine had accepted a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire, which was subsequently rejected by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Current talks are considering a potential resumption of the Black Sea Initiative, a critical agreement that facilitated the export of millions of tons of grain and food products from Ukrainian ports.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted, “The issue of the Black Sea Initiative and all aspects related to the renewal of this initiative is on the agenda today,” emphasizing that the proposition originated from Trump and was agreed upon by Putin. Although the US-Ukraine and US-Russia discussions were initially planned to occur simultaneously, they are now being conducted consecutively.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov characterized the US talks as productive and focused. Trump envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism that the ongoing negotiations could lead to a viable ceasefire agreement.
Despite these promising signals, the Kremlin has tempered expectations for a quick resolution. Peskov mentioned, “We are only at the beginning of this path,” indicating that challenging negotiations lie ahead.
Previously, Putin dismissed a joint US-Ukrainian proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire, instead suggesting a pause in assaults on energy facilities. The revival of the Black Sea Initiative is being discussed, which was initially brokered by Turkey and the United Nations in 2022, but Russia exited the agreement in 2023, citing a lack of fulfillment of Western commitments concerning sanctions relief.
In light of the missile strike in Sumy, both factions had initiated renewed drone attacks ahead of the negotiations. Additionally, Ukraine’s national railway operator reported ongoing efforts to counter a complex cyberattack for the second consecutive day.
As the backdrop to these discussions, Peskov highlighted the potential for “mutually beneficial cooperation” between Russia and the United States, stating that although disagreements exist, it would be unwise to forgo mutual benefits. Concurrently, British and French defense chiefs convened in London to consider protective measures that allied countries could implement to secure any ceasefire agreement, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron expressing readiness to deploy troops in Ukraine if an agreement is reached.
