US and Russia Engage in Talks Over Ukraine Ceasefire
Donald Trump seeks Ukraine-Russia accord with Vladimir Putin (Image: Getty)
Negotiations between American and Russian representatives are underway today in Saudi Arabia, focusing on establishing a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Last week, Kyiv and Moscow reportedly agreed in principle to a limited cessation of hostilities following discussions between Donald Trump and senior Russian officials.
Current objectives for these discussions include progressing towards a broader ceasefire, maintaining the Black Sea grain initiative—established in July 2022 to facilitate Ukrainian grain exports via southern ports—and ensuring a continued halt to attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure. Disagreements reportedly persist regarding the specific infrastructure to be protected under any such agreement. While the White House insists “energy and infrastructure” should be included, the Kremlin maintains the prohibition should only apply to “energy infrastructure.” This diplomatic engagement occurs amidst renewed drone attacks launched by Russian forces into Ukrainian territory, according to Ukrainian air force reports.
Ukrainian and US delegations previously convened in Saudi Arabia (Image: Getty)
Timeline of Discussions
The White House is reportedly aiming to secure a truce agreement between Russia and Ukraine by April 20.
Talks between US and Russian officials commenced at approximately 7:30 am in Riyadh today, preceded by negotiations between US and Ukrainian delegations yesterday.
These preliminary discussions are understood to have explored a temporary halt to long-range strikes and a potential temporary maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea region.
Serhii Leshchenko, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, indicated that the Ukrainian delegation remained in Riyadh on Monday and anticipates further meetings with the US delegation led by President Trump.
Russia’s delegation is headed by Sergei Beseda, a veteran of the FSB, and Grigory Karasin, Russia’s former Deputy Foreign Minister and Ambassador to the UK.
Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s Middle East envoy, is leading the US delegation on behalf of the White House, aiming for a comprehensive ceasefire agreement.
Mr. Witkoff has dismissed Sir Keir Starmer’s proposal for an international peacekeeping force to support a ceasefire as merely “a posture and a pose”.
Steve Witkoff dismisses Keir Starmer’s peace plan (Image: Getty)
Ukraine’s Proposed Terms
President Zelensky seeks the protection of railway lines and port facilities from attacks under any ceasefire arrangement.
The Ukrainian President has previously signaled his openness to President Trump’s proposed 30-day unconditional ceasefire, according to AP reports.
In a televised address on Sunday evening, President Zelensky stated: “A proposal for an unconditional ceasefire has been on the table since March 11, and these attacks could have already ceased. However, Russia persists in continuing these actions.”
He further added, “Regardless of our discussions with partners today, it is imperative to compel Putin to issue a genuine order to halt the strikes. The initiator of this war must take it back.”
President Zelensky expresses openness to a 30-day ceasefire (Image: Getty)
Russia’s Stated Position
President Putin has suggested Russia’s general support for a comprehensive ceasefire, but has also outlined several preconditions.
These include stipulations regarding the monitoring of the ceasefire. The Kremlin has previously rejected the deployment of NATO or EU peacekeeping forces within Ukraine.
Furthermore, Putin has indicated that a ceasefire would hinge on the cessation of arms deliveries to Kyiv and a suspension of Ukraine’s military mobilization efforts.
Russia also insists on assurances that Ukraine will never be admitted into NATO.
Kremlin officials have recently reiterated, as reported by experts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), that any future peace settlement must address the “root causes” of the conflict.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has defined these “root causes” as alleged “threats to Russia’s security from the Ukrainian and Western directions” stemming from NATO expansion, and the Ukrainian government’s purported “extermination” of elements “connected with Russia and the Russkiy Mir,” encompassing Russian language, culture, Orthodoxy, and media.
US Perspective on Ukraine’s Actions
Putin seeks to address the ‘root causes’ of the conflict (Image: Getty)
Reports suggest President Trump has indicated to Volodymyr Zelenskyy that “American ownership” of Ukraine’s four nuclear power plants would be advantageous for Ukraine.
Following President Trump’s hour-long conversation with Zelensky, his national security advisor Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated jointly: “American ownership of these plants would provide optimal protection for this infrastructure and bolster Ukrainian energy security.”
They further added: “He [Trump] suggested that the United States could offer valuable expertise in operating these plants with its extensive electricity and utility sector experience.”
The US President has previously asserted that Ukraine should “forget about” NATO membership aspirations.
President Trump also mentioned on Friday that negotiations to end the conflict would involve an agreement on “dividing up the lands”.
Speaking to reporters, he stated: “They are engaged in conflict. I anticipate a ceasefire across numerous areas, and thus far, it appears to be holding effectively.”
“In achieving this ceasefire, numerous armaments were positioned in close proximity. Regrettably, some soldiers found themselves encircled by opposing forces.”
“I believe we are approaching a comprehensive ceasefire imminently, followed by a contract – a contract concerning the division of territories, among other aspects – currently under negotiation.”
Donald Trump suggests potential ‘division of lands’ (Image: Getty)
Current War Situation
NEW: US and Ukrainian officials are meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on the evening of March 23 to discuss the contours of the temporary moratorium on long-range strikes and a possible temporary maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea. pic.twitter.com/AabT2xUAtb
— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) March 23, 2025
The ISW reports that President Putin and other Russian officials have recently “re-emphasized Russian narratives” asserting that “Novorossiya”—which Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has defined as encompassing all of eastern and southern Ukraine including the Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, and Odesa regions—is an “integral” part of Russia.
President Putin annexed Crimea in 2014 and currently controls portions of the Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Luhansk, Mykolayiv, and Zaporizhzhya regions.
Ukrainian military intelligence estimates approximately 620,000 Russian soldiers are deployed in Ukraine and the Kursk region.
Recent reports indicate Russian forces have captured the town of Kurakhove and are advancing northeast toward the city of Pokrovsk.
Ukrainian officials state that Russian forces are also attempting to penetrate the Sumy region.
Ukrainian forces are reportedly attempting to repel Russian troops seeking to regain control of Russia’s Kursk region.
The BBC reports that Russia has also seized control of the city of Sudzha, limiting Ukrainian access to the Sudzha-Sumy highway, a critical route for troop logistics.