Ukrainian and U.S. officials will meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss a possible ceasefire with Russia, following previous negotiations. The Ukrainian delegation will be led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov. Diplomatic efforts are underway to clarify ceasefire modalities, while hostilities persist with ongoing strikes reported from both sides.

Ukrainian and U.S. officials are set to convene in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to discuss a potential partial ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Russia. This meeting forms part of an intensified diplomatic initiative led by U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed at resolving the war that has persisted for three years. The gathering is scheduled to precede discussions between U.S. and Russian representatives on Monday.

The upcoming discussions follow previous meetings in Saudi Arabia, initially conducted between U.S. and Russian representatives, and subsequently with U.S. and Ukrainian officials, during which Ukraine expressed agreement to a 30-day truce proposal. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov will lead the delegation at the Sunday meeting, and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy emphasized the importance of rapid and substantial decision-making.

Ukrainian officials have characterized the Riyadh meeting as primarily technical in nature. Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for the foreign ministry, stated that both the American and Ukrainian delegates aimed to clarify the details concerning potential ceasefire arrangements, including monitoring and control mechanisms.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin accepted Trump’s initiative to halt attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure for 30 days, mandating the Russian military to comply. Nevertheless, this agreement did not extend to a broader truce that the U.S. had proposed, which Kyiv endorsed.

President Trump remarked that the situation regarding the Ukraine-Russia conflict is now “somewhat under control,” as the U.S. anticipates achieving a comprehensive ceasefire within weeks, aiming for an agreement by April 20. Concurrently, Russian and U.S. experts are slated to discuss maritime safety in the Black Sea during their meeting in Saudi Arabia.

Despite ongoing diplomatic engagements, both Russia and Ukraine continue to report military strikes. Recently, Russian forces have made slow progress in eastern Ukraine, a territory they claim to have annexed. A significant drone attack in Kyiv resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals, including a child. Reports from Russian authorities indicated the interception of 59 Ukrainian drones aimed at southwestern areas, with resultant casualties recorded in Rostov.

In summary, the upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia between Ukrainian and U.S. officials signify a critical step towards potentially achieving a partial ceasefire in the prolonged conflict with Russia. While Ukraine’s representatives prepare for detailed technical discussions surrounding ceasefire modalities, the situation remains volatile with continued hostilities reported. Diplomatic efforts led by President Trump are underway, aiming to establish a broader peace agreement in the near future.

Original Source: www.usnews.com

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