Politics USA launches new talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia
Following a meeting with representatives of Ukraine, the USA is starting its new round of talks on a limited ceasefire with Russia in Saudi Arabia today.
24.03.2025, 05:54
SDA
Afterwards, the US negotiators want to explore possible paths to a peace solution in Ukraine in a form of shuttle diplomacy. According to a report in the "New York Times", there could be further talks with Ukraine depending on the outcome. The US mediators are negotiating separately with representatives of Moscow and Kiev on ways to achieve peace.
Ukraine assessed the first talks on Sunday evening in the Saudi capital Riyadh positively. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umjerov wrote on Facebook: "The talks were constructive and informative - we discussed important issues, especially in the energy sector." The Ukrainian delegation had received a mandate from President Volodymyr Zelensky to achieve an "honorable and lasting peace" for Ukraine and for the whole of Europe.
Renunciation of attacks against energy facilities planned
The negotiations in Saudi Arabia are to focus on possible steps towards a ceasefire. The first measure planned is to refrain from attacking energy facilities, although Ukraine also wants to protect other infrastructure objects. This limited ceasefire had already been agreed in principle during a telephone conversation between Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, but without details on implementation. Most recently, the two warring factions have been engaging in massive drone attacks.
According to Ukraine, Riyadh is initially concerned with technical issues. Proposals for the protection of energy facilities and critical infrastructure are on the agenda, said Umjerow. "Today we are working our way through a series of complex technical issues - our delegation includes energy experts as well as military representatives from the navy and air force." From the Russian perspective, Riyadh will also discuss an initiative for safe shipping in the Black Sea, with the US proposal for a ceasefire in the waters being discussed.
USA represented with several teams in Riyadh
Selenskyj wrote on X: "Our team is working completely constructively and the discussion is very useful. The work of the delegations continues." The Ukrainian president added: "But no matter what we talk about with our partners, we must urge Putin to actually order a halt to the attacks: Whoever caused this war must stop it."
The Ukrainian delegation is led by Umjerov. Russia will be represented in Riyadh by foreign policy expert Georgi Karassin from the Federation Council and intelligence officer Sergei Besseda, a confidant of Kremlin leader Putin. The USA is represented in Saudi Arabia by several teams, including special envoy Keith Kellogg and US security advisor Mike Waltz.
Zelensky accuses Russia of prolonging the war
Selensky accused Moscow of dragging out the war. Russia had brought about the war and was continuing it, said Zelensky in his evening video message. "Since March 11, there has been a proposal for an unconditional ceasefire, and the attacks would have stopped long ago, but it is Russia that is continuing all this."
Selenskyj referred to the series of Russian drone attacks in recent days. "If no pressure is exerted on Russia, they will continue to despise real diplomacy in Moscow and continue to destroy lives," he accused the Russian leadership.
According to US President Trump, he wants to end the war as quickly as possible. The chances of this are good, he said ahead of the meetings. US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who had met Putin in Moscow in recent weeks, said: "I have the feeling that he (Putin) wants peace." The Kremlin, however, dampened expectations. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "We are only at the beginning of this path."
Russian drone attacks on Kiev
The Kremlin does not appear to be in a hurry for a ceasefire. During the phone call with Trump a few days ago, Putin put forward his well-known arguments against a general ceasefire. He said it was unclear how such a ceasefire would be monitored and secured along the entire front line. The Kremlin also set two conditions. According to these, the West must not supply any more weapons or intelligence information to Kiev.
Shortly before the new exploratory talks between the warring parties on a possible path to peace, there was a serious Russian drone attack in Kiev on Saturday night. Three people were killed, including a five-year-old child.
