Ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine are scheduled for Sunday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, led by U.S. representatives. Despite some agreement on issues like energy infrastructure, Ukraine has raised concerns about Russia’s commitment to the ceasefire. The U.S. is urging a full 30-day ceasefire, while the Kremlin insists on military aid cessation as a prerequisite for peace negotiations.
On Sunday, ceasefire talks regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict are scheduled to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as announced by Steve Witkoff, special envoy from the United States. This statement followed a detailed phone conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling a renewed diplomatic effort.
The U.S. delegation to the talks will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. However, the specifics regarding the Russian representatives in the negotiations have not yet been disclosed. Witkoff articulated optimism that agreements concerning the ceasefire could be reached, particularly regarding energy infrastructure and naval operations in the Black Sea, anticipating Ukrainian consent as well.
Nevertheless, Ukraine has expressed skepticism about Russia’s commitment to the ceasefire proposal, citing continued attacks on civilian infrastructure shortly after Russia appeared to agree to a temporary halt in strikes on the energy grid. The U.S. is advocating for an extensive 30-day ceasefire to facilitate broader peace negotiations to resolve the protracted conflict.
During a lengthy discussion, Putin indicated that any ceasefire arrangement would depend heavily on Ukraine’s allies ceasing military support for Kyiv. The Kremlin asserts that Putin has instructed military operations to cease targeting Ukrainian energy for a 30-day period, while Witkoff clarified that the proposed ceasefire encompasses overall energy and infrastructure considerations. He acknowledged Putin’s role in advancing the discussions toward a potential peace agreement, believing closer consensus on these issues could pave the way for a complete ceasefire.
The impending ceasefire talks in Jeddah reflect an escalating diplomatic effort to resolve the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Despite some optimism regarding consensus on specific ceasefire conditions, challenges remain, particularly with Ukraine expressing doubts about Russia’s commitments. Moving forward, the alignment of military support from Ukraine’s allies with the terms discussed will be crucial in determining the success of the negotiations.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com