Ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will occur on Sunday in Saudi Arabia, led by U.S. officials. A ceasefire focused on energy infrastructure has been tentatively agreed upon by Russia, while Ukraine has accused Russia of disregarding the ceasefire proposal. The U.S. is advocating for a 30-day ceasefire to foster broader peace discussions.
Ceasefire discussions concerning the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine will take place on Sunday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as confirmed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Following Trump’s conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Witkoff stated that discussions around a ceasefire agreement will commence during this meeting.
The U.S. delegation, headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, will participate, although the parties they will engage in talks with remain unspecified. Witkoff highlighted a ceasefire related to energy infrastructure and targets in the Black Sea, adding, “I think both of those are now agreed to by the Russians. I am certainly hopeful that the Ukrainians will agree to it.”
In response, Ukraine accused Russia of essentially dismissing the U.S.-supported ceasefire proposal, following a sequence of strikes on civilian infrastructure shortly after Russia limited its attacks to the energy grid. The U.S. is advocating for a comprehensive, 30-day ceasefire as an initial step towards resolving the protracted conflict.
During a lengthy conversation with Trump, Putin made it clear that a ceasefire deal hinges on Ukraine’s allies ceasing all military support. The Kremlin noted that Putin has commanded a halt to military strikes on Ukrainian energy sites for a month.
Witkoff emphasized that the ceasefire proposal encompasses various infrastructure and energy targets. He acknowledged President Putin’s efforts in the recent call, suggesting that consensus around these targets indicates that achieving a full ceasefire is quite feasible.
The upcoming ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia represent pivotal progress in addressing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. While complexities remain, particularly regarding military support from Ukraine’s allies, there is cautious optimism for reaching a consensus on energy infrastructure and broader peace efforts. Continued dialogue and negotiations are crucial as both sides work towards a potential ceasefire agreement.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com