US and Ukraine Hold Talks in Riyadh as Ceasefire Negotiations With Russia Advance

High-level bilateral talks between US and Ukrainian officials took place today (March 23) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, just one day before the second round of US-Russia negotiations aimed at ending the Ukraine war.

The diplomatic push, led by President Donald Trump’s administration, seeks to de-escalate tensions and establish a lasting ceasefire in Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.

Ukraine Talks Focus on Energy Security and Critical Infrastructure

The Ukrainian delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, met with US officials to discuss proposals for safeguarding energy facilities and critical infrastructure—key concerns amid ongoing Russian missile strikes.

Umerov confirmed the meeting in a Facebook post, stating:

“We are implementing the President of Ukraine’s directive to bring a just peace closer and to strengthen security.”

Meanwhile, US special envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about the chances of ending the war, citing significant diplomatic progress behind the scenes.

“I feel that (Russian President Vladimir Putin) wants peace,” Witkoff told Fox News on Sunday.
“I think that you’re going to see in Saudi Arabia on Monday some real progress, particularly as it affects a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between both countries. And from that, you’ll naturally gravitate into a full-on shooting ceasefire.”

The Biden-era strategy of total war has been abandoned in favor of a phased de-escalation approach—with Trump’s administration prioritizing small, verifiable agreements as stepping stones toward a broader peace deal.

Ceasefire Agreement: Russia Pauses Attacks, Ukraine Violates Truce

Following direct talks between Trump and Putin, Russia agreed to halt all attacks on Ukrainian energy and infrastructure for 30 days, marking the first major diplomatic breakthrough in the conflict.

However, Ukraine has already breached the agreement, launching drone and missile attacks on Russian energy facilities in response.

Despite these challenges, Trump remains committed to brokering a lasting peace, with White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz confirming that the US is negotiating a series of confidence-building measures.

“We’ll talk the line of control, which is the actual front lines,” Waltz told reporters Sunday.
“And that gets into the details of verification mechanisms, peacekeeping, freezing the lines where they are. And then of course, the broader and permanent peace.”

According to a Bloomberg News report, the US hopes to reach a full ceasefire agreement by April 20, less than a month from now.

Trump’s Peace Talks Send Shockwaves Through Europe

While Trump’s efforts have brought tangible progress, they have also unsettled Euro-Globalist elites, who fear that Washington is turning its back on them.

For years, NATO leaders and the EU establishment have relied on US financial and military support to prolong the conflict—but Trump’s America First policy has prioritized ending foreign wars over subsidizing European defense.

“Trump said on Saturday that efforts to stop further escalation in the Ukraine-Russia war were ‘somewhat under control’,” Bloomberg reported.

Despite these assurances, panic is growing among European leaders, who worry that the US may pressure Ukraine into making territorial concessions in order to secure peace.

In Riyadh, Ukrainian officials refused to confirm or deny how their talks with the US went, with Deputy Head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, Pavel Palisa, declining to comment on negotiations.

Additionally, Ukrainian officials confirmed that no direct talks would be held with Russia during the Saudi-hosted conference.

❗️Talks between the Ukrainian & US delegations in Riyadh are over — RIA Novosti
Ukrainian & Russian delegations will NOT have any contact in Riyadh
— RT (@RT_com) March 23, 2025

What Comes Next?

• The US-Russia second round of negotiations will take place Monday, March 24, with an expected focus on securing a broader ceasefire agreement.
• The Black Sea ceasefire remains in effect, but Ukraine’s violations could endanger further progress.
• Trump aims to reach a ceasefire agreement by April 20, but European resistance may complicate final negotiations.

As the global balance of power shifts, one thing remains clear:

Trump’s diplomatic strategy has done more to bring peace to Ukraine in two months than the Biden administration did in four years.