Ukrainian and U.S. officials will meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss a potential partial ceasefire with Russia, led by President Trump. The meeting follows a 30-day truce proposal acceptance by Ukraine and aims to clarify terms of a ceasefire. Despite diplomatic efforts, violent clashes continue in the region, complicating peace initiatives.
Ukrainian and U.S. officials are slated to convene in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to discuss a potential partial ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, enhancing diplomatic efforts led by U.S. President Donald Trump to conclude the ongoing war. This meeting precedes impending discussions between U.S. and Russian representatives scheduled for Monday.
These discussions in Saudi Arabia follow prior talks between the U.S. and Russia, as well as later negotiations with Ukraine, during which Kyiv accepted a proposal for a 30-day truce. The Ukrainian delegation, led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, is prepared to act decisively, as stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who acknowledged the urgency of the talks.
Despite the readiness for dialogue, Ukrainian officials regard the Sunday meeting as predominantly technical. Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for the foreign ministry, remarked that both sides would clarify various ceasefire modalities, including monitoring and control measures.
Last Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to Trump’s proposal to halt attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure for a limited 30-day period, which was not as extensive as the comprehensive truce sought by U.S. and Ukrainian officials. Trump expressed optimism on Saturday that efforts to mitigate escalation in the conflict were “somewhat under control” and indicated a goal to finalize a broad ceasefire by April 20.
On Monday, Russian and U.S. experts will meet to discuss measures ensuring shipping safety in the Black Sea. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, hostilities persist, as evidenced by a recent drone attack on Kyiv that resulted in multiple fatalities and extensive damage. Concurrently, Russian forces claimed to have thwarted Ukrainian drone strikes targeting southern regions, resulting in casualties on both sides.
In summary, the impending discussions between Ukrainian and U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia mark an important step toward potentially negotiating a ceasefire amidst ongoing tensions with Russia. While the dialogue is considered technical in nature, the persistent conflict continues to cause casualties and destruction. Key objectives include clarifying ceasefire protocols and bolstering security measures in affected regions, emphasizing the complexity of achieving lasting peace.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
