Ceasefire Talks Scheduled for Sunday in Saudi Arabia Amid Ongoing Conflict

Ceasefire talks for the Russia-Ukraine conflict are scheduled for Sunday in Saudi Arabia, led by US diplomats. Initial agreements on halting attacks on energy infrastructure have been reported, but Ukraine accuses Russia of ongoing strikes. A full, 30-day ceasefire is sought by the US as a precursor to a broader resolution of the conflict.
Ceasefire discussions regarding the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine are scheduled for Sunday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as stated by Steve Witkoff, the special envoy of US President Donald Trump. In a recent interview with Fox News, Witkoff confirmed that the US delegation, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, will engage in talks, although details about their counterparts remain unspecified.
Witkoff referenced a preliminary agreement concerning a ceasefire on energy infrastructure and operations in the Black Sea, expressing optimism for Ukrainian acceptance. However, Ukraine reported a significant increase in Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure shortly after Moscow’s conditional agreement to halt strikes, effectively rejecting the ceasefire proposal supported by the US.
The United States is advocating for a 30-day complete ceasefire as an initial step towards resolving the prolonged conflict, which has persisted for three years. During a 90-minute call on Tuesday, President Putin conditioned any ceasefire deal on Ukraine’s allies ceasing military support. The Kremlin announced that Putin had instructed his military to temporarily pause strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure for 30 days.
Witkoff articulated that the proposed ceasefire encompasses energy and infrastructure issues broadly. He acknowledged President Putin’s contributions during the call, believing that a consensus on energy and Black Sea targets will facilitate a relatively straightforward pathway to achieving a full ceasefire.
In summary, ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are set to take place in Jeddah, with key US officials participating. While preliminary agreements may have been reached, recent developments indicate ongoing hostilities. The US remains focused on achieving a 30-day ceasefire, yet any resolution is contingent on additional factors, particularly military aid from Ukraine’s allies.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com