In an effort to end the three-year-long war, Ukraine and US delegations have begun talks in Saudi Arabia. After meeting with the Ukraine delegates, US officials will be negotiating with the Russian delegations.
The United States is working towards achieving a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine by Easter, April 20, reported Bloomberg.
Regarding the negotiations, Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov on Sunday said that they are implementing Volodymyr Zelenskyy's directive to bring "a just peace closer and to strengthen security".
Umerov is heading the Ukrainian delegation in Riyadh.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff on Sunday said he expected to make "some real progress" at the Saudi Arabia talks.
The meeting agenda with the Ukrainian delegation includes proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure as well.
Also read
- Loves the spotlight, annoying fashion sense: FBI chief Kash Patel faces shocking allegations in new report
- FACT CHECK: Were gas clouds in California due to pipeline explosion? Locals report 'loud, jet-like' sounds; almost 15,000 evacuated
- Who is Matt Forney? US journalist has a bizarre solution to save Indians from racist attacks: 'Deport them'
- OPINION | US National Security Strategy 2025: Renegotiating the US-India embrace?
After the Trump-Putin phone conversation, the Russian president agreed to a deal to halt aerial strikes on Kyiv's energy infrastructure. Ahead of the ceasefire talks in Saudi, Zelenskyy had said that he would hand over a list of energy infrastructure that would be off-limits for strikes by Russia.
Meanwhile, both countries have been continuing their attacks despite Putin ordering his army to stop targeting Ukrainian energy sites.
"These attacks are a daily reality. This week alone, over 1,580 guided aerial bombs, nearly 1,100 strike drones, and 15 missiles of various types were used against our people," said Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy urged the allies to put "new pressure" on Russia so that the war could end.
From Moscow, Sergei Beseda, the former FSB chief would be leading the Monday talks with the US. Beseda would be joined by Grigory Karasin, the chair of the Russian Senate’s committee on international affairs.
