US-Russia Talks in Saudi with Ukraine

Russia's news agency TASS says talks with the U.S., aimed at bringing about a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine, have now resumed in Saudi Arabia. President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, says he is confident that real progress can be made. The U.S. wants to secure a ceasefire in the Black Sea, building on progress made last week when President Putin said he would order a 30-day pause on attacks on energy infrastructure.

The U.S. delegation held talks with their Ukrainian counterparts in Riyadh last night, which Kyiv has described as productive. In Ukraine, the Air Force says it shot down 57 of 99 drones launched by Russia overnight.

A journalist in Riyadh explained what the talks hope to achieve:

"The Americans are resolutely upbeat. I think they have a rather oversimplified view of the complexities of trying to reach even a ceasefire, let alone a full peace deal. You heard Steve Witkoff, the special envoy of Donald Trump, saying that today, Monday, in Saudi Arabia, 'I think you're going to see real progress.'

Well, what does that actually mean? I think expectations are having to be dialed back a bit. It’s not going to be a full, comprehensive 30-day ceasefire, which the Ukrainians have agreed to, the Americans have agreed to—but the Russians haven’t.

Instead, the focus now, just a short distance from here, behind the bougainvillea-clad walls of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, is on the technical details of a Black Sea deal. There was a deal in 2022 that allowed Ukraine to export its grain from its Black Sea ports without being attacked by Russia. In return, Russia wanted to export its own farm produce and sought some sanctions relief. But that deal was canceled a year later when Russia pulled out, dissatisfied that the sanctions relief never materialized.

Russia remains heavily sanctioned by much of the world. They want to revive that deal, as their economy, like Ukraine’s, is struggling. That’s a key topic of discussion.

The Americans are saying, 'If we can at least achieve that, then we can build on it to establish a full ceasefire that protects energy infrastructure, oil depots, and other key assets, eventually leading to an end to the fighting on land.'

However, there is no strong indication that Moscow is eager to stop the fighting on land, as Russian forces are slowly, incrementally pushing the Ukrainians back. Moscow is in no hurry to stop, though they do want to protect their oil installations, which have been targeted by Ukraine’s long-range drones.

There still seems to be a huge gap between what Ukraine is willing to accept in terms of a ceasefire and what Russia is willing to concede.

Is there any sign that Russia is shifting its position?

"Not that I can see, no. The Ukrainians are still deeply affected by that intense meeting in the Oval Office on February 28, where President Zelensky faced a severe reprimand from Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Since then, Ukraine has been seeking advice from figures like Britain’s National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell, who has emphasized the importance of keeping the Americans on board. Ukraine cannot afford to lose U.S. support.

The challenge is that the American position under the Trump administration is much closer to Moscow’s perspective than that of the previous Biden administration or NATO’s stance. NATO remains firm in its view that Russia is the aggressor and that this was an unprovoked invasion of a sovereign country in 2022.

However, that is not how Steve Witkoff sees it. He has been expressing views that align closely with the Kremlin's narrative."

A journalist in Riyadh provided that update.

Earlier, a Ukrainian MP and chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Oleksandr Merezhko, spoke about his expectations for the talks:

"We don’t have high expectations. We understand that we are not negotiating with the Russians directly but rather engaging in discussions in Saudi Arabia with our American partners. These talks are not about political decisions but rather about technical details.

However, everything ultimately depends on Putin, and he is not interested in a ceasefire or peace. He is the biggest obstacle to achieving one.

Ukraine has agreed unconditionally to President Trump’s ceasefire proposal, but Russia—Putin—has rejected it. That’s why I don’t have high expectations."

What would be a good outcome from these talks?

"On a positive note, it would be great to at least establish a partial ceasefire regarding critical energy infrastructure and the power grid. But we have seen time and again that Putin makes promises only to break them immediately.

Even if we achieve the best possible outcome, I remain doubtful."

President Zelensky has said that Vladimir Putin needs to be "pushed" to bring an end to the fighting.

How can that be achieved? What incentives could be used—carrot or stick?

"With Putin, offering incentives is seen as a sign of weakness. It simply doesn’t work that way. Negotiations are ineffective because he never honors agreements.

The only way to influence Putin is from a position of strength—by increasing pressure through sanctions, particularly targeting Russia’s energy, banking, and financial sectors. Secondary sanctions should be imposed on companies and countries helping Putin bypass primary sanctions.

Additionally, providing more military aid to Ukraine is crucial. That is the only way the West can deal with an aggressor like Putin."

What is your view on the U.S. role in these talks and their stance on Putin?

"We were extremely disappointed and shocked by recent statements from President Trump’s envoy, Mr. Witkoff. He appears to be repeating Putin’s propaganda, and we are deeply concerned.

What he said is totally unacceptable—it echoes Putin’s lies. That raises serious questions: Is he simply unqualified for his role, or is he actively serving Putin’s interests?

I am personally confused by his statements. I believe President Trump must make it clear that the United States will continue to support Ukraine’s territorial integrity. That has always been U.S. foreign policy, and it remains in America’s national interest."

Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Merezhko provided those remarks.