Talks in Riyadh aim for 30-day Russia-Ukraine truce

Negotiators from the United States and Russia met on Monday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for talks aimed at achieving a partial ceasefire in the protracted Russia-Ukraine conflict, which started over three years ago.

The talks followed a round of negotiations on Sunday between US and Ukrainian officials in the Saudi capital, which Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said were "productive and focused".

Ukrainian officials, led by Umerov, were expected to hold a fresh round of talks with the US delegation in Riyadh on Monday.

After Sunday's talks between the US and Ukraine, Umerov wrote in a social media post that the two sides had "addressed key points, including energy", alluding to the possibility of an initial 30-day ceasefire agreement that would not only end front-line skirmishes but also protect power stations and other critical infrastructure in both Ukraine and Russia.

The separate meetings are set to discuss details of a pause in long-range attacks against energy facilities and civilian infrastructure in both countries, as well as a halt on attacks in the Black Sea to ensure safe commercial shipping, The Associated Press reported.

Ahead of Monday's talks, US special envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News that "some real progress" was expected following the meetings in Riyadh, "particularly as it affects a Black Sea ceasefire".

Bloomberg reported that the US is hoping that Russia and Ukraine will both be in a position to sign a broad ceasefire agreement by April 20.

Following their phone conversations last week, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin said they expect "the movement to peace" to begin with a 30-day pause in attacks on energy facilities.

Meanwhile, the major sticking points between Russia and Ukraine remain, with Moscow saying any peace deal will require a commitment from Ukraine not to join NATO and with Kyiv seemingly wanting all land lost so far to be returned. Russia has also indicated that it would not support any future peacekeeping force deployed in Ukraine comprising soldiers from NATO countries.

The BBC reported on Monday that the latest round of talks is likely to focus on resuming the "Black Sea initiative", which allows safe export of grain crops and other items across the body of water between Europe and Asia.

Ukraine was a major exporter of grain crops before the conflict began in February 2022, shipping 6.5 million metric tons around the world every month.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative was brokered in July 2022 by the United Nations and Turkiye, with Ukraine and Russia as signatories, facilitating exports of Ukrainian food products and fertilizers.

It had been a lifeline for global food security until Russia did not agree to the renewal of the initiative after July 2023 and also withdrew security guarantees for navigation in the northwestern part of the Black Sea.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday during a daily news briefing that the US suggested the talks focus on ways to ensure and protect the Black Sea shipping route. "This was President Trump's suggestion and President Putin agreed to it," Peskov said.

He said that Russia was "willing and ready to move along the path of peaceful settlement" of the conflict. "Indeed, there is common understanding here," he added.

The talks in Riyadh follow Trump's phone calls last week to Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, both of whom agreed in principle to a partial ceasefire.

However, there has been no letup in fighting since, with Kyiv claiming that Russia launched 99 drones the night before the talks began in Riyadh, and Moscow saying that Ukraine orchestrated 28 drone attacks against targets in Russia.