Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced upcoming meetings in Saudi Arabia with U.S. officials to advance peace talks. This follows a ceasefire agreement on energy strikes after discussions between U.S. and Russian leaders. The delegations will tackle technical issues and compile a list of sites Russia should cease to attack.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on March 19 that Ukrainian and U.S. officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia soon for ongoing peace negotiations. This development follows a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 18, during which a partial ceasefire concerning energy infrastructure strikes was agreed upon.
In his recent post, Zelensky revealed that he had a follow-up conversation with Trump on March 19, discussing the details of the previous day’s dialogue with Putin, ultimately leading to Zelensky’s agreement to halt strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. The U.S. National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, also indicated on March 19 via social media that discussions involving Russian and American delegations regarding a ceasefire in Ukraine would soon occur in Riyadh.
While the precise dates of the meetings remain unclear, it is uncertain whether the Ukrainian delegation will directly meet with their Russian counterparts. Zelensky remarked, “Ukrainian and American teams are ready to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to continue coordinating steps toward peace. We instructed our advisors and representatives to carry out this work as quickly as possible.”
He emphasized that the delegations will address “technical issues” linked to the partial ceasefire. During a press conference with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, he mentioned that Kyiv would prepare a list detailing energy, infrastructure, and civilian sites that Russia must refrain from attacking, to be shared with international partners.
Zelensky expressed hope for fruitful discussions moving forward: “In further meetings, the teams can agree on all necessary aspects of advancing toward lasting peace and security guarantees.” Previously, the Ukrainian and U.S. delegations convened on March 11, where Ukraine tentatively accepted a U.S. proposal for a complete ceasefire, a proposition Russia did not endorse.
Relations between Ukraine and the U.S. were strained prior to the March 11 meeting, following a contentious exchange between Zelensky and Trump on February 28, which resulted in a temporary suspension of U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Notably, the Ukrainian delegation includes prominent figures such as Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa.
The upcoming meetings in Saudi Arabia between Ukrainian and U.S. delegations mark a significant step in ongoing peace efforts. The discussions will focus on crucial technical aspects of the recently agreed partial ceasefire, and details regarding further safety measures for energy and civilian infrastructure. Continued dialogue may pave the way for enhanced cooperation between Ukraine and the U.S., which remains essential in addressing the geopolitical tensions in the region.
Original Source: kyivindependent.com
