U.S., Ukraine to Hold Talks in Saudi Arabia After Russia-U.S. Discussions on Black Sea Ceasefire:

Delegations from the United States and Ukraine are scheduled to meet on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, following discussions between U.S. and Russian officials a day earlier about a proposed limited ceasefire in the Black Sea. Washington hopes the talks will serve as a foundation for broader peace negotiations.

The talks between Russia and the U.S., held on Monday in Riyadh, were described by the White House as a step toward President Donald Trump’s goal of ending the three-year war. A White House source noted that progress was being made and hinted at a possible positive announcement soon.

A Russian source told Reuters that the talks ended late Monday, and a draft joint statement was sent to both capitals for review. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, however, said no formal documents would be signed, according to TASS.

CBS News reported that both countries are expected to release a joint statement on Tuesday morning.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed that Ukrainian officials would meet with the U.S. team in Riyadh. A source from the Ukrainian delegation also confirmed the planned discussions.

Last week, Russia turned down Trump’s proposal for a full 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. However, it agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure for the time being. Trump has stated that the issues on the table include territorial boundaries, lines of demarcation, and ownership of power plants.

Despite the talks, violence continued on Monday. Kyiv reported that a Russian missile strike injured at least 88 people, while Moscow accused Ukraine of a targeted attack that killed two journalists and a driver. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned Russia’s actions, accusing Moscow of hypocrisy by calling for peace while attacking civilian areas.

The recent talks follow phone calls between Trump, Zelenskiy, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump, who has taken a less critical stance on Russia compared to his predecessor Joe Biden, has called for a swift resolution to the conflict.

The U.S. administration says the primary goal of the Saudi talks is to establish a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, aiming to secure safe passage for shipping. Though maritime conflict has decreased since 2023, due to Ukrainian countermeasures pushing Russian naval forces away, ensuring safe navigation remains a key concern.

Kremlin spokesman Peskov reiterated that the current focus is on maritime safety, adding that previous U.N.-backed efforts had failed to meet Russian expectations.

The U.S. team was reportedly led by Andrew Peek from the White House National Security Council and State Department official Michael Anton. Russia was represented by Grigory Karasin, chairman of the upper house’s Foreign Affairs Committee, who described the talks as “creative” and focused on easing tensions.

President Trump expressed satisfaction with the dialogue so far and acknowledged Putin’s involvement positively. However, European nations remain skeptical of any real concessions from Russia, as Putin's demands, including Ukraine renouncing NATO membership and withdrawing from annexed regions, have not changed since the war began in 2022.

White House national security adviser Mike Waltz confirmed that delegations from the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine were all present in the same facility. He said discussions will also cover the current lines of military control and potential peacekeeping or monitoring mechanisms.