Officials from the United States and Russia are engaged in negotiations in Saudi Arabia, aiming to establish a ceasefire in Ukraine. The discussions follow separate U.S.-Ukraine talks, which Kyiv described as “productive.”
The Riyadh talks, taking place at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, are expected to focus on halting long-range strikes by both Russia and Ukraine on energy infrastructure and civilian targets, as well as suspending attacks in the Black Sea.
Key Negotiators and Objectives
Leading the U.S. delegation are Andrew Peek, senior director at the National Security Council, and Michael Anton, a senior official from the State Department. On the Russian side, the delegation includes Grigory Karasin, head of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Russian Duma, and Sergey Beseda, an advisor to the director of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).
According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the negotiations are focused on technical issues, including ensuring the security of commercial maritime traffic in the region.
While U.S. officials have remained tight-lipped about the March 23 talks with Ukraine, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov described them as “constructive and meaningful,” emphasizing Ukraine’s goal of securing a “just and lasting peace.”
A Critical Moment in Ceasefire Efforts
These negotiations mark a pivotal step in U.S.-led efforts to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine. Unlike previous rounds, where breaks of several days occurred between bilateral meetings, this gathering of all parties in one location could accelerate progress. However, expectations for a major breakthrough remain low.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the need for Russia’s leadership to issue a clear directive to halt attacks. “Whoever started this war must be the one to end it,” Zelensky stated in a televised address.
Despite cautious optimism from the U.S. side, analysts predict only limited progress. Political expert Serhiy Taran noted that, at best, technical details for a temporary pause in hostilities may emerge, which would then be reviewed in Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington.
Challenges and Diverging Perspectives
The negotiations are following a “shuttle diplomacy” model, where U.S. mediators separately engage with Ukrainian and Russian officials rather than facilitating direct talks between the two warring nations. Some observers compare this approach to past ceasefire efforts for Gaza, which took months to materialize and ultimately fell apart.
While U.S. President Donald Trump remains optimistic about swift progress, his expectations have faced repeated setbacks. A previous 30-day ceasefire plan with Ukraine was blocked by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who instead agreed to a more limited pause in attacks on energy infrastructure—a commitment that was soon undermined by continued Russian strikes.
Ukraine is now pushing for clear agreements on what Russia must refrain from targeting. Meanwhile, reports suggest that discussions on rare earth mineral agreements between Ukraine and the U.S. are ongoing, though key details remain unresolved.
Ceasefire in the Black Sea?
One key area of potential progress is a ceasefire in the Black Sea. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff suggested that an agreement on halting naval attacks could serve as a stepping stone toward a broader truce. However, skepticism remains high, as Ukraine and its European allies doubt Putin’s willingness to seek peace.
As negotiations unfold, both Ukraine and Russia have reported continued drone attacks. Ukraine claims to have downed 57 out of 99 drones launched by Russia overnight, with remaining strikes causing damage in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia. In response, Russia alleges it intercepted 227 Ukrainian drones in a single night.
While diplomatic efforts continue, the reality on the battlefield underscores the deep challenges facing any ceasefire agreement.
