U.S. Holds Ceasefire Talks with Russia, Ukraine in Saudi Arabia/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The U.S. met separately with Russian and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia to negotiate details of a proposed limited ceasefire. Both sides remain divided on what infrastructure should be protected under the deal, while fresh drone attacks and cyber warfare continue. Ukraine supports a full ceasefire, but Russia has attached conditions that Kyiv and its allies reject.
Ukraine-Russia Ceasefire Talks: Quick Looks
- U.S. holds separate talks with Russian, Ukrainian officials in Riyadh
- Ceasefire proposal sparked by Trump includes limits on attacks
- Disagreement persists over what targets are protected under the deal
- Russia accuses Ukraine of striking gas station in Kursk; Ukraine denies
- Ukrainian railways hit by major cyberattack over the weekend
- U.S. envoy expects progress and potential expansion to full ceasefire
- China denies sending peacekeepers, reiterates neutrality
- Ukrainian forces reportedly destroy four Russian helicopters
- Multiple drone attacks injure civilians in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia
U.S. Holds Ceasefire Talks with Russia, Ukraine in Saudi Arabia
Deep Look
U.S. Hosts Ceasefire Talks with Russia and Ukraine as Drone Strikes, Cyberattacks Continue
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The United States intensified efforts to mediate a partial ceasefire in Ukraine on Monday, holding separate negotiations with Russian and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia. The talks follow escalating tensions and differing interpretations of a preliminary agreement brokered by President Donald Trump.
Talks Held Separately in Riyadh
U.S. negotiators met with Russia’s delegation in Riyadh on Monday, one day after separate talks with Ukrainian officials. While both sides reportedly agreed in principle to a ceasefire last week, they remain at odds over its scope.
The White House said the deal would cover attacks on “energy and infrastructure,” while the Kremlin insists it only applies to “energy infrastructure.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pushed for broader protections, including ports and railways.
Drone Attacks Undermine Ceasefire Hopes
Despite diplomatic moves, Russian forces launched another wave of drone attacks overnight Sunday into Monday, targeting several Ukrainian regions. The Ukrainian air force said 99 drones—including decoys—were fired. While 57 were intercepted and 36 lost from radar, others hit civilian areas, injuring several people.
In the Kyiv region, one man suffered shrapnel injuries after a drone strike. In Kharkiv, a 25-year-old man and a pregnant woman were hospitalized following a drone hit in Velyka Babka. Zaporizhzhia also reported damaged homes and a minor injury to an elderly woman.
Zelenskyy Urges Global Pressure on Moscow
Speaking Sunday evening, Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s support for a broader, unconditional ceasefire and called on international partners to increase pressure on Russia.
“Since March 11, a proposal for an unconditional ceasefire has been on the table. These attacks could have already stopped,” Zelenskyy said. “But it is Russia that continues all this.”
While Ukraine has signaled openness to Trump’s 30-day ceasefire plan, Russia’s conditions include halting Western arms shipments and suspending Ukraine’s military mobilization—demands Kyiv flatly rejects.
Trump Envoy Optimistic About Progress
Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed optimism during an appearance on Fox News Sunday, predicting “real progress” from the Saudi talks. He said a ceasefire in the Black Sea to secure commercial shipping lanes could “naturally gravitate into a full-on shooting ceasefire.”
Ukrainian adviser Serhii Leshchenko confirmed the delegation remains in Riyadh and plans further talks with U.S. officials.
Cyberattack Disrupts Ukrainian Railways
Ukraine’s state rail operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, suffered a “massive targeted cyberattack” over the weekend, temporarily disabling its online ticketing system. Train schedules were not affected, and restoration efforts were ongoing Monday.
The incident underscores the hybrid nature of the conflict, with physical attacks on infrastructure paralleled by cyber warfare.
Ukrainian Forces Strike Inside Russia
In a separate development, Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces claimed to have destroyed four Russian helicopters in the Belgorod region using U.S.-supplied HIMARS rocket systems. Footage posted to Telegram shows drone imagery of the attack on what Ukraine described as a “jumping-off point” for Russian aircraft used in surprise assaults.
Russia and Ukraine Trade Accusations Over Ceasefire Violations
Russia has accused Ukraine of sabotaging the tentative ceasefire with an attack on a gas metering station in Sudzha, located in the Kursk region. Ukrainian officials deny the claim, asserting that Russian shelling was responsible. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called Ukraine’s counter-accusation “absurd.”
China Denies Peacekeeper Reports
Speculation that China could send peacekeepers to enforce a potential Ukraine ceasefire was dismissed on Monday. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun labeled such reports “completely false” and reiterated China’s policy of neutrality.
While Beijing has offered diplomatic and economic support to Russia, including buying oil, it has not provided arms or personnel. Notably, North Korea—one of China’s closest allies—has sent troops to support Russian forces.
Looking Ahead
While talks in Saudi Arabia continue, the future of the partial ceasefire remains uncertain. With both sides pushing conflicting narratives and attacks ongoing, negotiators face significant challenges in bridging the gaps.
Still, diplomatic momentum—led by Washington—has created a fragile window of opportunity for a broader de-escalation. As civilian casualties mount and cyber threats rise, global pressure to solidify the truce is expected to intensify.
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