U.S. and Russian delegations have reportedly commenced peace talks in Saudi Arabia on Monday, aiming to resolve the conflict.
These discussions follow what described as a “quite useful” meeting between a Russian delegation and an American team in Riyadh on Sunday.
“Our team is engaged constructively, and the discussion is proving valuable. Delegations are continuing their work. However, regardless of our current discussions with partners, Putin must be compelled to issue a definitive order to halt the strikes – as the initiator of this war must also be the one to end it,” stated Zelenskyy.
Reuters reported that the U.S. delegation includes Andrew Peek, a senior director at the White House National Security Council, and Michael Anton, the director of the policy planning staff at the State Department. Russia is represented by Grigory Karasin, the head of the Russian upper house of parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sergei Beseda, an advisor to the director of Russia’s Federal Security Service.
According to , citing U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, the primary focus of the delegations will be establishing a ceasefire in the Black Sea. The next phase of discussions will address “issues concerning ceasefire verification, the peacekeeping force, and territorial ownership.”
President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff told he believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin does not intend to invade Europe.
“When asked about President Putin’s larger motives, I’ve simply stated that I don’t believe he wants to take over all of Europe,” Witkoff said during an appearance on ” Sunday.”
“The current situation is very different from World War II, when NATO did not exist,” he added. “I take him at his word in this regard.”
“I anticipate significant progress in Saudi Arabia on Monday, especially concerning a Black Sea ceasefire for ships of both countries, which will naturally lead to a complete cessation of hostilities,” Witkoff also said on Sunday.
Russia launched a significant drone attack targeting Kyiv and other major Ukrainian cities overnight on Sunday, underscoring the challenges that remain before a peace agreement can be reached.
’ Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.