RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – In a high-stakes diplomatic meeting in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, Ukrainian and U.S. delegations discussed strategies to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure as part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s push to end the three-year war between Ukraine and Russia.
The talks came ahead of crucial negotiations between the U.S. and Russian delegations scheduled for Monday, with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff expressing optimism about the potential for progress.
“I feel that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants peace,” Witkoff said in a televised interview with Fox News on Sunday. “I think that you’re going to see in Saudi Arabia on Monday some real progress, particularly as it affects a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between both countries. And from that, you’ll naturally gravitate into a full-on shooting ceasefire.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described Sunday’s discussions as “constructive,” emphasizing the need for concrete action from Russia.
“No matter what we say to our partners today, we need to get Putin to give a real order to stop the strikes,” Zelenskiy said in a televised statement.
While the talks, led by Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, were described as “technical,” they aimed to bring “a just peace closer and to strengthen security,” Umerov stated.
However, the urgency of the conflict was underscored by continued hostilities.
Overnight, a large-scale Russian drone attack on Kyiv left three dead, including a 5-year-old child, and caused widespread damage.
In retaliation, Russian officials reported intercepting 59 Ukrainian drones targeting southwestern regions, resulting in at least one death in Rostov.
Last week, Putin agreed to Trump’s proposal for a 30-day ceasefire focused on halting attacks on energy infrastructure.
However, the ceasefire remains tenuous, with both sides reporting violations.
Zelenskiy has endorsed Trump’s call for a broader ceasefire, though he remains wary of Russian commitment.
Meanwhile, Trump and his administration are pushing for a broader truce by April 20, which could pave the way for permanent peace discussions.
“We’re talking through a range of confidence-building measures,” White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said, citing plans to address issues such as the future of Ukrainian children taken to Russia.
He added that discussions could eventually include verification mechanisms, peacekeeping forces, and freezing the current front lines.
Trump’s direct engagement with Putin has raised alarms in Europe, where leaders worry about potential U.S. concessions to Russia.
The fear is that Washington’s focus on securing peace in Ukraine could shift its strategic priorities away from Europe, with potential implications for oil prices, the Middle East, and U.S.-China competition.
In response, Britain and France are bolstering their military and logistical support for Ukraine, with several European nations increasing defense budgets to reduce reliance on U.S. security guarantees.
However, Witkoff sought to allay fears, dismissing comparisons between Putin’s ambitions and World War II.
“I just don’t see that he wants to take all of Europe. This is a much different situation,” he said.
