U.S. and Russia Initiate Ceasefire Discussions in Saudi Arabia…

U.S. and Russian negotiators engage in talks in Saudi Arabia to establish a partial ceasefire in Ukraine, focusing on halting attacks on energy facilities and ensuring shipping safety in the Black Sea. Despite recent drone strikes by Russia, optimism exists for progress. Disputes remain over the scope of the ceasefire, with differing interpretations from the U.S. and Russia.

The United States and Russian negotiators commenced discussions in Saudi Arabia on Monday regarding a potential partial ceasefire in Ukraine, as reported by Russian state media. These talks in Riyadh follow previous negotiations involving U.S. and Ukrainian representatives, focusing on establishing a temporary pause in hostilities.

The primary objective of the negotiations is to create a limited ceasefire that would suspend long-range attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure. In addition, the participants are considering a halt of military actions in the Black Sea to safeguard commercial shipping activities, which are critical to regional stability.

Although Ukraine and Russia reached a tentative agreement last week for a limited ceasefire following direct talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and both nations’ leaders, there remain discrepancies regarding the ceasefire’s parameters. The U.S. government positions the agreement as covering “energy and infrastructure,” whereas the Kremlin asserts it involves only “energy infrastructure.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has advocated for the inclusion of additional protections for railways and ports.

Despite the ongoing negotiations, Russia conducted a series of drone strikes across Ukraine on Sunday night, resulting in the deaths of at least seven individuals, including a father and his five-year-old daughter in Kyiv. Zelenskyy urged the international community, particularly the U.S. and Europe, to apply greater pressure on Russia to cease these attacks, calling them acts of terror.

Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine’s willingness to accept a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire, a proposal initiated by President Trump. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has outlined preconditions for a wider truce, demanding a cessation of Western military aid to Ukraine and a halt to Ukraine’s military mobilization—demands firmly rejected by Kyiv and its allies.

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, conveyed a sense of optimism regarding the talks in Saudi Arabia. In an interview on “Fox News Sunday,” he stated, “We expect some real progress at the talks in Saudi Arabia, particularly regarding a Black Sea ceasefire for ships between both countries. From there, you naturally gravitate toward a full-on shooting ceasefire.”

The negotiations between U.S. and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia focus on establishing a limited ceasefire in Ukraine, addressing attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure while ensuring maritime safety. Despite recent Russian drone strikes that resulted in civilian casualties, optimism remains among U.S. officials concerning progress in discussions. However, significant discrepancies in the terms of the ceasefire persist, with both nations holding firm to their positions.

Original Source: www.newsx.com