US and Russian diplomats concluded a day of talks on Monday in Saudi Arabia about a potential Black Sea naval ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv. The move is part of the broader diplomatic effort by the United States led by President Donald Trump to establish conditions for more complete peace talks in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
One of the US sources said there was a change for the better at the talks with a “positive announcement” to follow soon. Russian authorities, after the talks, confirmed a draft of a joint statement had been handed over for Washington and Moscow approval and release by Tuesday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized, however, that no binding documents or agreements would be signed.
The Black Sea Focus
The primary objective of these talks was to address maritime security in the Black Sea, and talks were founded on a ceasefire to allow for free flow of shipping. Ever since Russian naval targets were struck by Ukrainian forces in 2023, Moscow moved its navy out of contested waters, allowing Ukraine to resume ports and resume vital exports. A previous U.N.-backed accord on Black Sea shipping failed to meet Moscow’s expectations, and the current negotiations aim to resolve some of these outstanding issues.
Russian Missile Strikes Amid Talks
Even while there were diplomatic talks in Riyadh, Russia continued its aggressive action. Russian missiles struck the Ukrainian city of Sumy on Monday and hit residential buildings, a school, and a hospital, and at least 88 were hurt. The Ukrainian government denounced Russia for targeting civilian locations, stating that if Russia is interested in peace, its continued missile strikes on civilian targets paint a very different picture of their interests.
Challenges in Negotiations
The Saudi Arabian talks are a follow-up to a series of phone calls between Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump has shifted American diplomacy towards less aggressive interactions with Russia than those used by former President Joe Biden. The European powers are nevertheless skeptical about whether Putin is serious about making concrete concessions in the peace negotiations.
Next Steps
While the current priority is the attainment of a ceasefire in naval operations, American officials also look forward to negotiating wider issues, including the line of control between Russian and Ukrainian forces. What follows in the negotiations will depend on further discussions among the parties.
