KEY POINTS
- Russia hopes for progress in Saudi talks as US engages separately with Moscow and Kyiv on a potential ceasefire
- US mediating between Ukraine and Russia, with separate meetings planned in Riyadh
- Putin rejects full ceasefire, agrees only to halt aerial strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure
- Black Sea security to be a key agenda item, with discussions on initiatives raised by Putin and Trump
- Western peacekeeping proposal discussed by UK and France, strongly opposed by Russia
- Moscow criticises European defence moves, accusing the West of escalating tensions
MOSCOW/WASHINGTON: Russia is hoping to achieve “some progress” in negotiations in Saudi Arabia on Monday, a Russian negotiator told state media, as the United States prepares to hold separate talks with Ukrainian and Russian delegations on a potential ceasefire.
Senator Grigory Karasin, one of Moscow’s delegates, told Zvezda TV—owned by Russia’s defence ministry—that he and fellow negotiator Sergey Beseda, an adviser to the head of the Federal Security Service (FSB), were approaching the talks with a “combative and constructive” mindset.
“We are going with the mood to fight for the solution of at least one issue,” Karasin stated. He added that the delegation would leave for Saudi Arabia on Sunday and return on Tuesday.
According to Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, the talks in Riyadh will be attended by Russian and US officials to discuss security and ceasefire proposals.
“These consultations will take place on Monday, March 24, in Riyadh,” Ushakov was quoted as saying by the Kremlin. He confirmed that Karasin and Beseda would represent Russia.
The United States is engaging both Ukraine and Russia separately in an effort to negotiate a partial ceasefire.
President Vladimir Putin has rejected a joint US-Ukraine proposal for a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, agreeing instead to a temporary halt on aerial strikes targeting energy infrastructure.
Black Sea security on agenda
A key point of discussion is expected to be maritime security in the Black Sea. Ushakov stated that the meetings would focus on “initiatives” discussed between Putin and former US President Donald Trump regarding the region.
US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz confirmed the technical negotiations between Russia and the US in Riyadh, aimed at implementing and expanding the limited ceasefire Trump reportedly secured from Moscow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at a press conference in Oslo alongside Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, explained the structure of the discussions.
“There will be a meeting of Ukraine and America and then some shuttle diplomacy, as our American colleagues said, America with Russia,” Zelenskyy said.
While the exact format remains unclear, Ukrainian officials confirmed that US representatives would meet with their Russian counterparts separately. It is uncertain whether Russian and Ukrainian officials will engage in direct talks.
Limited ceasefire proposal
The negotiations come amid an evolving discussion over a temporary halt to hostilities. Both Ukraine and Russia have indicated willingness to pause attacks on critical energy infrastructure following separate phone calls with Trump.
Zelenskyy initially sought a broader ceasefire but has since adjusted his position, stating on Thursday that he was working with the US to halt strikes on power production and civilian facilities.
He has also proposed expanding the list of protected targets to include rail and port infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Russia’s position remains firm. The Kremlin has dismissed proposals for a wider ceasefire and has expressed concerns over the US’s potential role in Ukraine’s nuclear energy sector.
Asked about reports that Washington might take control of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Zelenskyy denied discussing the matter with Trump.
Western peacekeeping
In London, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened a meeting of Western military officials to discuss an international peacekeeping force for Ukraine, pending a full ceasefire.
Alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Starmer has been leading efforts to assemble a “coalition of the willing” to deploy peacekeepers—an idea Moscow has firmly rejected.
Macron has also proposed extending France’s nuclear umbrella to cover the entire European Union, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Russia.
Sergei Shoigu, secretary of Russia’s Security Council, condemned the proposal, stating it reflects “the anti-Russian sentiment that reigns in Europe today.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused Europe of becoming a “war party,” while Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticised German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz for suggesting increased defence spending, calling his remarks a sign of “the German political elites’ desire for historical revenge.”
