American and Russian officials convened in Saudi Arabia to discuss a potential partial ceasefire in Ukraine. The meeting, held in Riyadh, aimed to explore the possibility of reviving a 2022 Black Sea ceasefire agreement.
The US and Russian teams engaged in closed-door discussions at a luxurious hotel, with the Ukrainian team expecting a second meeting with American officials later in the day. This development suggested that progress might have been made in the initial talks.
President Donald Trump has been pushing for a rapid end to the three-year war in Ukraine. The latest round of talks in Riyadh was seen as a crucial step towards achieving this goal. Earlier this month, Ukraine agreed to a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire, which was subsequently rejected by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The talks in Riyadh focused on the possible resumption of the Black Sea Initiative, a year-long agreement that allowed for the export of grain and other food products from Ukraine’s ports. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the issue of the Black Sea Initiative was on the agenda, stating that it was President Trump’s proposal and that President Putin had agreed to it.
The US team was led by Andrew Peek, a senior director at the White House National Security Council, and Michael Anton, a senior State Department official. Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov headed the Ukrainian team and described the initial round of talks as “productive and focused.”
The discussions addressed key points, including energy, and Umerov expressed optimism about the prospects for a breakthrough. Trump envoy Steve Witkoff also voiced confidence that any agreement reached would pave the way for a “full-on” ceasefire.
However, the Kremlin has downplayed expectations of a rapid resolution, with Peskov stating that “we are only at the beginning of this path.” Putin has proposed a halt in attacks on energy facilities, rather than a full and immediate 30-day ceasefire.
The talks in Riyadh took place against the backdrop of ongoing violence in Ukraine. A Russian drone attack on Kyiv killed three civilians, including a five-year-old girl and her father, on the eve of the negotiations. Ukrainian officials condemned the attack, which highlighted the urgent need for a ceasefire.
The Saudi talks also reflected a rapprochement between Moscow and Washington under President Trump. Peskov emphasized the potential for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, stating that “we may disagree on some things, but that does not mean we should deprive ourselves of mutual benefit.
