Ukraine-US talks to take place tonight, additional possible tomorrow – NYT
Photo: US and Ukrainian delegations during talks in Saudi Arabia on March 11 (Getty Images)
Today and tomorrow, the United States will hold separate talks with Ukraine and Russia in Saudi Arabia. The goal is to agree on the details of a possible partial ceasefire, which could be a decisive step toward a complete cessation of hostilities, reports The New York Times.
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to temporarily stop strikes on energy infrastructure. However, how and when such a truce will be implemented is to be resolved as the attacks continue.
The talks to be held in Riyadh, mediated by the Americans, are expected to focus on working out these details and on shipping in the Black Sea. According to the Ukrainian official, the Ukrainian delegation will meet with the mediators today, on Sunday. Tomorrow, Monday, Washington and Moscow will hold talks.
The Ukrainian official also clarified that today's talks would take place in the evening, Kyiv time. He added that tomorrow the Ukrainian delegation may hold additional discussions with US officials, depending on the progress.
Who will represent the countries
US Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg said that the US delegation would include some of his own staff, as well as Michael Anton, director of policy planning at the State Department, and aids to national security advisor Michael Waltz.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Defense Minister Rustem Umerov would be represented at the talks in Riyadh. He will be joined by the deputy head of the Presidential Administration and Zelenskyy's chief military adviser Pavlo Palisa.
The Russian delegation will be headed by senior Russian diplomat and lawmaker Grigory Karasin and FSB advisor Sergey Beseda.
A truce between Russia and Ukraine
Today Bloomberg reported that the White House was seeking to conclude a truce agreement between Russia and Ukraine before Easter, April 20. But Washington acknowledges that the deadline may be shifted.
