Ukrainian-American ceasefire talks kick off in Riyadh
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced that negotiations between Ukrainian and American delegations have begun in Riyadh.
In the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, another round of Ukrainian-American talks regarding a ceasefire in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine began on Sunday. The topics will include security issues and the protection of energy facilities and critical infrastructure, according to Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
"We’ve started the meeting with the American team in Riyadh. We are implementing the President of Ukraine’s directive to bring a just peace closer and to strengthen security. The agenda includes proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure," Umerov stated.
The authorities in Kyiv expect to reach an agreement on a partial ceasefire that would address concerns about energy facilities, civilian infrastructure, and ensure free navigation in the Black Sea.
Bloomberg reported that the White House is striving for a ceasefire agreement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict to be reached before April 20th.
However, authorities in Washington acknowledged that the deadline for reaching an agreement might be postponed due to significant discrepancies between the positions of Ukraine and Russia, according to individuals familiar with the plan, as quoted by Bloomberg.
This year, on the same day — April 20th — Christian churches of both Western and Eastern rites are celebrating Easter. Earlier, Russian media reported that at this time, a meeting could occur between the leaders of the USA and Russia, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
Delegation talks
On March 18 and 19, US President Donald Trump conducted telephone conversations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Following these talks, the White House announced that the next round of negotiations on a Ukraine ceasefire would take place in the coming days in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh.
It was initially reported that meetings between the US and Ukrainian delegations, and separately with Russia, were scheduled for Monday, March 24th. However, on Saturday evening, Zelensky announced that the meeting between the Ukrainian and American delegations would be held on Sunday.
Talks between the Washington and Moscow delegations are scheduled for Monday.
