U.S. and Russian negotiators are meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine amidst ongoing hostilities. Recent talks suggest a partial ceasefire focusing on energy infrastructure, although Ukraine demands broader protections. Tensions remain as both sides accuse each other of undermining the ceasefire efforts.
Negotiators from the United States and Russia are set to reconvene in Saudi Arabia, with the objective of securing a ceasefire and peace agreement to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has persisted for three years. This meeting follows a discussion held in Riyadh between U.S. and Ukrainian officials.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that his Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov, had informed him about the negotiation progress. Zelenskyy emphasized that discussions are constructive but reiterated the need for a direct command from President Putin to halt military operations, stating that those who initiated the conflict should be responsible for its cessation.
Although Moscow and Kyiv reached a preliminary agreement regarding a ceasefire, hostilities have continued, with both sides conducting drone and missile strikes. The discussions included a partial ceasefire that the White House indicated would focus on energy and infrastructure, while Putin characterized it as being limited to energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy expressed his intent to broaden protections to include transportation infrastructure such as railways and ports.
On a related note, Steve Witkoff, who served as Trump’s special envoy, has expressed optimism for concrete advancements in the talks, predicting that measures to reduce hostilities in the Black Sea could lead to a comprehensive ceasefire.
In response to the negotiations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the Russian military is adhering to Putin’s orders to suspend attacks on energy facilities for a month. Conversely, he has accused Ukraine of undermining the ceasefire efforts by striking Russian energy sites, a notion Ukraine’s military General Staff has dismissed, attributing the attack on a gas metering station to Russian shelling.
The recent resumption of U.S. and Russian ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia signifies an ongoing effort to reconcile the three-year conflict in Ukraine. Both sides have indicated portions of agreement while also acknowledging persistent hostilities. The discussions highlight the complexity of achieving lasting peace and the responsibility of Russia to halt aggression, as emphasized by President Zelenskyy’s calls for concrete action from President Putin.
Original Source: news3lv.com
