Third round of US, Russian, Ukrainian talks begins in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is hosting the third round of talks focused on a potential ceasefire in Ukraine.

The discussions are taking place through two separate meetings: one between US and Ukrainian officials on Sunday, and another between US and Russian officials on Monday.

Reports indicate that the meetings in this third round will be held at the technical and expert levels, laying the groundwork for further high-level meetings that will be announced later. The parties involved are hopeful for breakthroughs in the upcoming talks.

This round of talks follows two separate meetings between American officials and both Russian and Ukrainian representatives earlier, with Saudi Arabia facilitating the discussions to create an atmosphere conducive to peace talks.

These efforts are aimed at taking the next step toward securing a ceasefire and fostering a lasting peace between Moscow and Kyiv.

US optimism

US envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about the prospects of ending the conflict in Europe.

Speaking to Fox News, Witkoff said, “I feel that [Russian President Vladimir Putin] wants peace... I believe you will see tangible progress in Saudi Arabia tomorrow (Monday), particularly regarding the ceasefire in the Black Sea for ships between the two countries. From there, things will naturally move toward a comprehensive ceasefire.”

In parallel, Ukrainian and US officials met in Riyadh on Sunday to discuss the potential ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv.

US President Donald Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, confirmed the start of “technical” negotiations between Russia and the US in Saudi Arabia on Monday.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov shared details of Sunday’s discussions on social media, noting that they addressed crucial issues, including energy. He emphasized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's commitment to achieving a “just and lasting peace.” The two sides explored “proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure.”

Earlier in the week, Russia and Ukraine agreed to Trump’s proposal for a 30-day halt in attacks on energy infrastructure.

However, Ukrainian forces subsequently struck an oil depot in Russia’s Krasnodar Region, and according to the Russian Ministry of Defense, they also targeted a gas metering station near Sudzha in Kursk. Moscow has accused Ukraine of violating the “energy truce” and warned of retaliation.

Looking Ahead

On Sunday, Witkoff reaffirmed his optimism about the upcoming meeting with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia.

He predicted that significant progress would be made, particularly regarding a ceasefire agreement for ships in the Black Sea. Witkoff also outlined the US plan for a 30-day full ceasefire, which would be followed by a permanent truce, as confirmed in a recent interview with journalist Tucker Carlson.