U.S.-Russia-Ukraine Talks in Saudi Arabia: Seeking a Partial Ceasefire
U.S. negotiators are discussing a potential partial ceasefire with Ukraine and Russia in Saudi Arabia. Differing views on ceasefire terms persist, particularly regarding what infrastructure will be protected. President Zelenskyy has called for increased international pressure on Russia amidst ongoing attacks, and there is cautious optimism for progress in the negotiations despite the complexities of the conflict.
U.S. negotiators engaged in discussions with Ukrainian and Russian representatives in Saudi Arabia to outline a potential partial ceasefire amid the ongoing conflict that erupted following Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022. This initiative comes after an agreement in principle last week between Kyiv and Moscow, following a conversation between President Trump and the two leaders. However, differing interpretations of the ceasefire terms have arisen, particularly concerning which targets would be exempt from attacks.
The White House has indicated that both “energy and infrastructure” should be protected, while the Kremlin’s stance is limited to “energy infrastructure” alone. President Zelenskyy is advocating for broader protections, insisting on safeguarding railways and ports, and has expressed doubts regarding President Putin’s commitment to de-escalation. In a recent video, Zelenskyy condemned a drone strike in Kyiv that resulted in civilian casualties, highlighting the urgent need for increased international pressure on Russia to cease its aggressive actions.
The Riyadh talks also aim to clarify the specifics of a limited ceasefire, potentially addressing a pause in attacks in the Black Sea area to protect commercial vessels. U.S. and Russian officials convened on Monday, while discussions had previously occurred between U.S. and Ukrainian teams. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov affirmed that the Russian military is expected to comply with an order from Putin to halt assaults on energy facilities for a month, following a proposal discussed with President Trump.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, the conflict continues, with reports of new drone attacks in Ukraine and mutual accusations by both nations complicating the negotiations. Zelenskyy reiterated his openness to a comprehensive ceasefire, yet noted that such a cessation depends on the fulfillment of certain preconditions, which include the cessation of arms support to Ukraine—a mandate strongly opposed by Kyiv and its allies. Meanwhile, Trump’s envoy expressed optimism for tangible outcomes from the ongoing dialogues, suggesting that initial pauses could lead to a broader ceasefire agreement.
In the context of international involvement, speculation arose regarding China’s potential role in peacekeeping; however, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry refuted such claims, reaffirming China’s established position on the crisis and its lack of military involvement in the conflict despite its economic ties with Russia.
In summary, the U.S. talks in Saudi Arabia signify a crucial step towards brokering a partial ceasefire in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Diverging interpretations of ceasefire terms by both Russia and Ukraine continue to pose challenges. President Zelenskyy advocates for more robust international pressure on Russia to cease hostilities. While there is cautious optimism for progress, the complexities of the situation indicate that substantial diplomatic efforts will be required to achieve lasting peace.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
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