U.S. and Russia Commence Talks in Saudi Arabia Aimed at Brokering Ukraine Ceasefire
RIYADH, March 24 (Reuters) – High-level officials from the United States and Russia convened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Monday to initiate discussions geared towards achieving a comprehensive ceasefire in Ukraine. The talks, a significant development in the ongoing conflict, underscore a renewed effort by Washington to de-escalate tensions and establish a path towards lasting peace.
The impetus for these negotiations follows a series of diplomatic engagements, including direct communication between U.S. President Donald Trump and both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin last week. President Trump has increasingly focused on resolving the three-year-old conflict, signaling a shift towards active mediation.
Prior to the U.S.-Russia discussions, U.S. officials held talks with Ukrainian representatives in Riyadh on Sunday, solidifying a coordinated approach towards finding a viable resolution. The sequential nature of these meetings suggests a strategic effort to align perspectives and ensure a unified front in addressing the complex issues at stake.
Leading the U.S. delegation are Andrew Peek, a senior director at the White House National Security Council, and Michael Anton, a senior official from the State Department. The composition of the U.S. team highlights the significance Washington attaches to these negotiations and the commitment to finding a diplomatic solution.
The White House has articulated a specific initial objective for the talks: securing a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea. This preliminary agreement aims to ensure the unimpeded flow of shipping in the region, a crucial aspect for both economic stability and regional security. Notably, the Black Sea has not experienced significant military activity in recent months, suggesting a potential area of common ground for both sides.
Representing Russia are Grigory Karasin, a former diplomat who now chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Russian upper house of parliament, and Sergei Beseda, an adviser to the director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the successor agency to the KGB. The inclusion of individuals with extensive diplomatic and security backgrounds underscores the seriousness with which Russia is approaching the negotiations.
The talks are taking place against a backdrop of deep skepticism among some European countries and in Britain. These nations remain cautious about Russia’s willingness to make meaningful concessions, citing what they perceive as maximalist demands that have remained unchanged since the initial deployment of troops into Ukraine in 2022. The concerns center on whether Russia is truly committed to a peaceful resolution or intends to maintain its territorial gains.
Despite these reservations, President Trump has expressed optimism about the progress of the talks and has lauded Putin’s engagement in the process. On Saturday, he stated that efforts to contain further escalation in the Ukraine-Russia conflict were "somewhat under control," reflecting a belief that progress is being made.
White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz provided further details on the scope of the discussions during an appearance on CBS’ "Face the Nation" on Sunday. He confirmed that U.S., Russian, and Ukrainian delegations were assembled in the same facility in Riyadh. Beyond the Black Sea ceasefire, Waltz indicated that the teams would address the "line of control" between the two countries, including "verification measures, peacekeeping, freezing the lines where they are." He also mentioned ongoing discussions on "confidence-building measures," specifically the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russia.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who heads the Ukrainian delegation, shared on Facebook that the U.S.-Ukraine talks included proposals to safeguard energy facilities and critical infrastructure, highlighting the vulnerability of these assets amidst the ongoing conflict.
Adding another layer of perspective, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, who met with Putin in Moscow earlier in March, addressed concerns among Washington’s NATO allies that a deal with Moscow could embolden Russia to invade other neighboring countries. Witkoff downplayed these fears, stating, "I just don’t see that he wants to take all of Europe. This is a much different situation than it was in World War Two… I feel that he wants peace," expressing a belief in Putin’s desire for a resolution to the conflict.
The negotiations in Riyadh represent a crucial juncture in the effort to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While significant challenges and skepticism remain, the active engagement of the U.S. and Russia, coupled with the participation of Ukrainian representatives, provides a foundation for potential progress. The focus on a Black Sea maritime ceasefire as an initial step could serve as a building block towards a broader agreement. However, the ultimate success of these talks will depend on the willingness of all parties to compromise and find common ground in addressing the complex underlying issues driving the conflict. The world watches with cautious optimism, hoping for a breakthrough that can bring an end to the violence and pave the way for a more peaceful future for Ukraine.
