Peace-footing Around: Russia-Ukraine Talks Stall

Efforts to secure a rapid ceasefire in Ukraine hit a snag Tuesday after 12 hours of closed-door negotiations between US and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia ended without a joint statement, while Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukraine continued despite an earlier agreement in principle to halt attacks on energy infrastructure, NBC News reported.

The talks in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, were expected to lead to a written declaration centered on a 30-day ceasefire. It did lead to an agreement on a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea to take effect after a number of sanctions on Russian food and fertilizer trade were lifted.

That includes allowing for the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a United Nations- and Turkey-brokered agreement that had allowed Ukraine to export grain through Black Sea ports during the early stages of the war.

Russia withdrew from the deal in 2023, claiming that Western nations did not uphold the parallel agreement to ease restrictions on Russian food and fertilizer exports.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said officials were still analyzing reports from negotiators, adding that the “content of these talks will not be made public for sure,” according to ABC News.

Russian envoy Grigory Karasin called the discussions “detailed and complex but quite useful.” US officials were reportedly more optimistic ahead of the meeting. A Ukrainian source added that American and Ukrainian officials held follow-up discussions Tuesday, though no outcomes were disclosed.

The Riyadh talks also followed a recent agreement in principle between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to observe a limited ceasefire targeting energy and infrastructure facilities. However, both sides have accused each other of violating the limited truce.

Overnight Tuesday, Russia launched 139 Shahed drones and one missile at Ukraine, striking targets in Kyiv, Sumy, and other regions. Monday’s attacks in Sumy hit residential areas and a children’s hospital, injuring 101 people, including 23 children.

Zelenskyy accused Moscow of bad faith and called for continued military pressure, saying Russia “must be the ones forced into peace.” Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it intercepted Ukrainian drones over Crimea and near an oil pumping station, accusing Kyiv of violating the ceasefire understanding.

Meanwhile, Trump officials have emphasized that the talks are part of a phased process.

National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said earlier this week that the negotiations will focus on negotiating a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, followed by discussions on a front-line freeze and broader peace settlement.

No date has been set for the next round of negotiations.