Russia and US hold talks on Ukraine conflict in Riyadh
Russia and the United States have commenced consultations in Riyadh to discuss potential steps toward resolving the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The discussions focus on a partial ceasefire and cessation of hostilities to advance peace efforts.
The meeting follows similar US-Ukraine consultations in the Saudi capital on Sunday regarding a potential ceasefire deal.
Leading the Russian delegation are Grigory Karasin, Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs, and Sergey Beseda, Advisor to the Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB). The US delegation is headed by Michael Anton, Director of Policy Planning at the US State Department, along with advisors to Keith Kellogg and US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, according to Russia’s state-run news agency TASS.
Speaking to CBS News, Waltz stated that the US and Russia would focus on establishing a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea to resume grain and fuel trade.
“We are now going to talk about a Black Sea maritime ceasefire so that both sides can move grain, fuel, and start conducting trade again,” Waltz said.
Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov earlier confirmed that the talks would include efforts to revive the Black Sea grain initiative, an agreement reached during a recent phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described Sunday’s US-Ukraine talks as “constructive and beneficial,” noting progress on key issues. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who led the Ukrainian delegation, highlighted discussions covering military, diplomatic, and energy matters.
“The conversation was constructive and meaningful — we discussed key issues, including in the energy sector,” Umerov posted on social media.
Last week, Trump and Putin held a phone call emphasizing the need for a ceasefire and peace negotiations. Both leaders agreed to begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, followed by technical talks on a Black Sea maritime ceasefire and broader peace efforts.
