U.S. and Ukrainian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss a potential partial ceasefire with Russia, part of a diplomatic effort led by President Trump to end the ongoing conflict. The meeting precedes further discussions with Russian representatives and aims to clarify ceasefire modalities. Despite diplomatic activity, military strikes continue in the region.

Ukrainian and American officials are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to discuss a potential partial ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s intensified diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the ongoing conflict. This meeting will precede discussions between the U.S. and Russian delegations set for Monday.

These discussions follow previous talks held in Saudi Arabia, which began with the U.S. and Russia, succeeded by U.S. discussions with Ukrainian representatives, wherein Ukraine accepted a 30-day truce proposal. Defence Minister Rustem Umerov will lead the Ukrainian delegation, and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy indicated that this leadership will enable Kyiv to respond in a “quick and substantive” manner.

Despite hopes for progress, Ukrainian officials emphasize that Sunday’s meeting is still viewed as primarily technical. Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for the foreign ministry, noted that the discussions aim to elucidate various aspects of possible ceasefire modalities, including monitoring and control measures.

Recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to halt attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure for 30 days, a move proposed by Trump. However, this agreement does not encompass a wider truce which the U.S. had hoped for and that Ukraine had endorsed.

Trump stated that efforts to mitigate the escalation in the Ukraine-Russia conflict are “somewhat under control,” with aspirations for a broader ceasefire within weeks, targeting a full agreement by April 20. Analysts from both Russia and the U.S. will meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss measures for securing shipping in the Black Sea.

Despite the diplomatic initiatives, both nations have reported ongoing military strikes, with Russian forces gradually advancing in eastern Ukraine. An overnight drone attack on Kyiv resulted in at least three fatalities, including a child, while Russian officials reported the destruction of 59 Ukrainian drones in southern regions, with one death recorded in Rostov.

The upcoming meeting between Ukrainian and U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia seeks to explore a potential partial ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Russia. Although previous talks have made strides, challenges remain evident, with continued military actions reported from both sides. The hope for a broader ceasefire persists, but recent events underscore the complexity and volatility of the situation in Ukraine.

Original Source: www.thestar.com.my

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