Delegations from the United States and Ukraine have been engaged in peace talks in Saudi Arabia, as part of efforts brokered by the administration of US President Donald Trump. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who is representing Ukraine in Riyadh, confirmed that “productive” discussions had concluded late on Sunday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also spoke on the talks, stating in a televised address, “Our team is working in a completely constructive manner. The conversation is quite useful; the work of the delegations is continuing.” However, Zelenskyy emphasized the need for Russian President Vladimir Putin to issue a clear order to stop the strikes, adding, “But no matter what we say to our partners today, we need to get [Putin] to give a real order to stop the strikes. Whoever brought this war must take it back.”
Focus on Protection of Energy Sites and Infrastructure
At the outset of the discussions, Umerov revealed that the two parties were focusing on how to protect critical energy infrastructure from further attacks. The scope of a potential partial truce has been a point of contention, with Moscow and Kyiv holding differing views on the matter.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about the high-stakes negotiations, telling Fox News that he believed Putin wanted peace, adding, “I just don’t see that he wants to take all of Europe.” Meanwhile, the Russian and US delegations are scheduled to meet separately in Riyadh on Monday.
Continued Russian Drone Strikes in Ukraine
Despite ongoing peace talks, Russia’s aerial attacks on Ukraine continue. At least seven people were killed in overnight drone strikes. Three victims, including a five-year-old child, were killed, and 10 others were injured in an attack on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, according to the city’s military administration.
In addition, four people were killed in the Donetsk region, including three in an attack on the front-line Ukrainian town of Dobropillya. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 147 drones overnight, with 97 shot down and 25 failing to reach their targets.
Zelenskyy condemned the continued attacks, saying that strikes like the one in Kyiv have become a daily occurrence. “This week alone, more than 1,580 guided aerial bombs, almost 1,100 strike drones, and 15 missiles of various types were used against our people,” he said in a statement on social media. He called for “new solutions” and “new pressure on Moscow” to halt the attacks and end the war.
Russia Responds to Ukrainian Drone Strikes
In response to the ongoing Ukrainian attacks, Russia’s Ministry of Defence reported that its forces had “destroyed and intercepted” 59 Ukrainian drones overnight, mainly in the regions of Rostov and Astrakhan.
Trump’s Efforts to Ease Tensions and Secure a Ceasefire
On Saturday, former US President Donald Trump spoke about his ongoing efforts to prevent further escalation of the war. In an interview with Clay Travis, founder of sports website Outkick, Trump stated that “rational discussions” and maintaining good relationships with both Putin and Zelenskyy were essential to negotiating the end of the conflict.
Trump’s previous discussions with Putin and Zelenskyy, aimed at securing a resolution to the war that started in 2022, had yet to achieve a complete ceasefire, though Putin did agree to halt attacks on energy infrastructure for a period. Zelenskyy accepted the halt, but both sides have since accused each other of targeting energy sites.
Kremlin Downplays Expectations for Quick Resolution
The Kremlin has downplayed expectations for a swift resolution to the conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, “We are only at the beginning of this path,” indicating that “difficult negotiations” lay ahead. Peskov also said Russia’s primary focus in its talks with the US would be the potential resumption of a 2022 grain deal that allowed safe navigation for Ukrainian agricultural exports in the Black Sea.
Russia withdrew from the deal in 2023, accusing the West of failing to uphold commitments to ease sanctions on Russia’s agricultural exports. Senator Grigory Karasin, leading the Russian delegation, expressed hope for some progress during the upcoming meetings, telling Zvezda TV, “We hope to achieve at least some progress.”
