US peace talks with Ukraine, Russia are underway in Saudi Arabia
Peace talks between U.S. and Russian delegations are currently taking place in Saudi Arabia with the goal of bringing an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. This development follows a positive meeting between a Ukrainian delegation and an American team in Riyadh, as confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He emphasized the need for Russian President Vladimir Putin to issue a genuine order to halt the strikes, as he believes the responsibility for ending the conflict lies with the party that initiated it.
The U.S. delegation participating in the talks is led by 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. On the Russian side, Grigory Karasin, the leader of the Russian upper house of parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sergei Beseda, an adviser to the director of Russia’s Federal Security Service, are representing their country.
The focus of the discussions is on achieving a ceasefire in the Black Sea region, with plans to address issues related to verifying the ceasefire, deploying a peacekeeping contingent, and determining territorial ownership in subsequent stages of the negotiations. Russian news agency TASS reported that U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz provided insights into the agenda for the talks.
Amidst these diplomatic efforts, President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff expressed his belief that Putin does not intend to launch a full-scale invasion of Europe. He highlighted the significance of the talks in Saudi Arabia, predicting progress towards a Black Sea ceasefire and eventually a comprehensive cessation of hostilities.
However, the challenges of reaching a peace agreement were underscored by a recent massive drone attack launched by Russia on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv. This attack serves as a stark reminder of the urgency of finding a resolution to the conflict through diplomatic means.
The ongoing peace talks reflect a crucial opportunity to de-escalate tensions and pave the way for a lasting ceasefire in Ukraine. The international community is closely monitoring the developments in Saudi Arabia, hoping for meaningful outcomes that could bring an end to the suffering of the Ukrainian people. As the negotiations continue, the world remains hopeful for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
