Russian officials are meeting with representatives of the United States in Saudi Arabia as part of talks to establish a limited cease-fire in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The negotiations are crucial in potentially leading to a full cessation of hostilities. Both parties have agreed to temporarily halt strikes on energy infrastructure, but the details of implementing this truce have yet to be finalized. The focus of the talks is on safety for shipping in the Black Sea and on restoring a grain deal that was withdrawn by Russia due to Western sanctions limiting its agricultural exports. President Vladimir Putin is being kept updated on the discussions, with no public information being released during negotiations.
The Russian delegation for the talks is led by Grigory B. Karasin, a senior diplomat and lawmaker, and Sergey O. Beseda, an adviser to the head of the Federal Security Service (F.S.B.). Beseda’s involvement in the negotiations has raised concerns given his role in providing intelligence that influenced Putin’s decisions regarding Ukraine. The Ukrainian delegation includes Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and top military adviser Pavlo Palisa, both members of a group appointed by President Volodymyr Zelensky to engage in peace talks. The talks in Riyadh are focusing on technical matters like energy and shipping, involving mainly diplomats and government advisers rather than top officials.
Both parties have set forth conditions for a complete cease-fire that appear incompatible, with Russia demanding that Ukraine halt its military activities and foreign aid and Ukraine refusing to concede to territorial control or NATO membership restrictions. The Kremlin is maintaining its position of wanting Ukraine to capitulate to resolve the crisis, while Kyiv is adamant about retaining its sovereignty and security guarantees. However, concerns have been raised about the sustainability of any cease-fire agreement given previous truces being violated by both sides in the past.
The ultimate goal of the talks is to achieve a 30-day full cease-fire to allow for negotiations on a permanent truce. While discussions on specific issues like energy and shipping may lead to progress, broader peace negotiations face significant challenges. Russian and Ukrainian positions remain far apart, with Moscow insisting on maximalist demands and Kyiv holding firm on its red lines. Despite the potential for a limited truce, doubts persist about its longevity, especially considering past violations of cease-fires.
President Trump’s personal envoy to Putin, Steven Witkoff, has suggested a meeting between Trump and Putin in Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks. American officials are likely to continue discussions with Russian and Ukrainian counterparts to work out details of the limited truce. However, the diplomatic process is fragile, with both Moscow and Kyiv prepared to continue fighting regardless of external pressure. The visions of an agreement between the two parties remain vastly different, indicating a long road ahead in reaching a lasting peace settlement.
