A U.S. delegation will meet with Russian officials to negotiate a Black Sea ceasefire and broader cessation of violence in Ukraine, following a meeting with Ukrainian diplomats. Led by senior officials from the National Security Council and State Department, discussions will center on maritime safety and peacekeeping measures. Despite ongoing military actions, the U.S. aims for a broader ceasefire by mid-April.
A U.S. delegation is set to engage in discussions with Russian officials to establish a ceasefire in the Black Sea and a broader cessation of hostilities in Ukraine. These talks come after a meeting with Ukrainian diplomats and are part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to halt the ongoing warfare, which has persisted for three years. Key officials leading the U.S. side include Andrew Peek from the National Security Council and Michael Anton from the State Department.
The primary goal of the talks is to achieve a maritime ceasefire that would facilitate unhindered shipping in the Black Sea. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz emphasized that additional topics would cover the control line between Russia and Ukraine, verification measures, and possible peacekeeping initiatives. They also plan to address confidence-building strategies, such as the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russian forces.
Russian representation will include Grigory Karasin of the Federation Council and Sergei Beseda from the Federal Security Service. Ukraine’s delegation, led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, intends to discuss protective measures for energy infrastructure and critical assets. The U.S. has adapted its position on the conflict following battlefield successes by Russia in 2024, leading to more direct negotiations with Moscow and a pause in military support for Ukraine.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff downplayed fears regarding possible Russian aggression, stating, “I just don’t see that he wants to take all of Europe… I feel that he wants peace.” Trump’s outreach to Putin aims to conclude this ongoing conflict, yet it has sparked concern among European allies who view it as a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy regarding Russian expansion.
The war has caused significant loss of life, displacement of millions, and destruction across multiple towns. Earlier this month, Putin indicated conditional support for a truce proposal from Washington, yet insisted on continuing military operations until a set of essential terms is met. Ukrainian officials are working with U.S. counterparts to delineate ceasefire modalities and explore enforcement measures. Recent agreements have been limited in scope, falling short of a comprehensive ceasefire the U.S. and Kyiv had hoped for. The U.S. is aiming for a broad ceasefire by mid-April; still, both Russia and Ukraine have reported ongoing military actions, highlighting the precarious state of negotiations.
The U.S. delegation’s upcoming talks with Russia aim to facilitate a ceasefire in the Black Sea and broader cessation of hostilities in Ukraine. Key discussions will include maritime safety, verification measures, and confidence-building initiatives. Although there have been diplomatic efforts and partial agreements, both sides continue military activities. The U.S. remains hopeful for a broader ceasefire agreement by mid-April amidst continuing concerns from European allies about potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy regarding Russia.
Original Source: www.theglobeandmail.com
