Ukrainian and U.S. delegations convened on Sunday to discuss measures aimed at safeguarding energy facilities and critical infrastructure, as stated by Ukraine‘s defense minister. This meeting is part of a diplomatic initiative led by U.S. President Donald Trump to bring an end to three years of conflict.
Taking place in Saudi Arabia, the discussions precede a scheduled meeting on Monday between U.S. and Russian representatives. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff conveyed a sense of optimism regarding the potential to resolve Europe’s most lethal conflict since World War II.
“I believe that (Russian President Vladimir Putin) is inclined towards peace,” Witkoff remarked during an interview with Fox News on Sunday. “I anticipate that we will witness significant advancements in Saudi Arabia on Monday, particularly concerning a ceasefire for Black Sea shipping between the two nations. This could naturally lead to a broader ceasefire in hostilities.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy noted that his country’s delegation was engaging in a “completely constructive manner,” emphasizing the usefulness of the discussions and the ongoing efforts of the delegations.
“Regardless of our discussions with partners today, it is crucial for us to compel Putin to issue a genuine order to halt the attacks,” Zelenskiy stated in a televised address. The Ukrainian delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, aimed to facilitate “a just peace and enhance security,” although Zelenskiy characterized the talks as primarily “technical.”
Last week, Putin accepted Trump’s proposal for a 30-day cessation of attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure, but this narrowly defined ceasefire quickly came into question, as both sides reported ongoing strikes.
A significant drone assault by Russia on Kyiv during the night resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals, including a 5-year-old child. The attack also ignited fires in high-rise residential buildings and caused widespread damage across the capital, according to Ukrainian officials on Sunday.
In a related development, Russian authorities reported on Sunday that their air defense systems had intercepted 59 Ukrainian drones aimed at the southwestern regions of the country, claiming that the strikes had resulted in one fatality in Rostov.
Ukrainian President Zelenskiy, amid ongoing Russian advances in eastern Ukraine, has endorsed Trump’s proposal for a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire.
‘under control’
Trump stated on Saturday that efforts to prevent further escalation in the Ukraine-Russia conflict were “somewhat under control.” The United States is aiming to establish a broad ceasefire within weeks, with a target for a truce agreement by April 20, as reported by Bloomberg News, citing sources familiar with the discussions.
White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz mentioned on Sunday that the U.S. is exploring various confidence-building measures to facilitate an end to the war, including addressing the future of Ukrainian children taken to Russia. When asked about the objectives for the wider negotiations, Waltz indicated that once a ceasefire in the Black Sea is established, discussions would shift to the line of control, which pertains to the actual front lines.
“This will involve details regarding verification mechanisms, peacekeeping, and maintaining the current boundaries,” Waltz explained. “Ultimately, this will lead to a broader and lasting peace.” Trump’s communications with Putin—two publicly acknowledged phone calls and potentially additional discussions—have raised concerns among European leaders, who worry that Washington may be distancing itself from Europe in pursuit of a peace agreement with Russia as part of a larger deal involving oil prices, the Middle East, and competition with China.
Britain and France are at the forefront of European initiatives to enhance military and logistical assistance for Ukraine, with several nations revealing intentions to boost their defense budgets in an effort to lessen their dependence on the United States.
Nonetheless, Witkoff downplayed the worries expressed by Washington’s European NATO partners regarding the possibility that a peace agreement in Ukraine could encourage Putin to target other neighboring countries. “I don’t believe he has ambitions to conquer all of Europe. This situation is significantly different from what we experienced during World War Two,” Witkoff stated.
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