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Peace Talks Between Russia and Ukraine Set for Monday in Saudi Arabia
MOSCOW: Russia is optimistic about making "some progress" in peace negotiations with Ukraine during a meeting scheduled for Monday in Saudi Arabia, according to a high-ranking Russian negotiator.
Moscow has turned down a joint proposal from the U.S. and Ukraine for a comprehensive and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, instead proposing simply to stop aerial strikes on energy installations. Despite this offer, both sides have continued their aerial assaults leading up to the discussions.
A recent Russian airstrike on the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on Friday night resulted in the tragic death of a family of three, which has escalated tensions among Ukrainian officials.
U.S. diplomats are set to meet separately with both Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Saudi Arabia on Monday, a situation described by U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg as "shuttle diplomacy" taking place in hotel rooms. However, despite intense diplomatic activity and pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, reaching a breakthrough has proven to be difficult.
Russian Senator Grigory Karasin, who will lead the Russian delegation, mentioned to the Zvezda TV channel that he hopes to achieve "at least some progress," but he did not elaborate on specific issues. He indicated that he and fellow negotiator Sergey Beseda, an advisor with the FSB, would take a "combative and constructive" approach during the talks.
A senior Ukrainian official expressed to AFP the hope of securing at least a partial ceasefire that would cover attacks on energy, infrastructure, and maritime operations, emphasizing that Kyiv is sending its defense minister to the negotiations.
"We’re approaching this with the intent to resolve at least one issue," Karasin stated, adding that they would depart for Saudi Arabia on Sunday and return Tuesday.
Drone Attacks Continue
The selection of negotiators from the Russian side has raised eyebrows as both are not part of traditional diplomatic channels like the Kremlin, foreign ministry, or defense ministry. Karasin, a seasoned diplomat, currently serves in the upper house of Russia’s parliament, whereas Beseda is a longstanding FSB officer and advisor to the director of the security service. In 2014, the FSB admitted that Beseda was in Kyiv amid violent protests during Ukraine’s pro-European Union uprising.
Ukraine has criticized Russia for its lack of sincerity in pursuing peace and condemned the ongoing military strikes, even though President Vladimir Putin announced Tuesday that he had instructed his military to refrain from targeting Ukrainian energy facilities.
In a stark contrast, a U.S. official close to President Trump, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, commended Putin—who he met in Moscow last week—calling him a "great" leader who wants to resolve the conflict with Ukraine. "I found him straightforward with me," Witkoff shared in a recent interview.
In the latest wave of attacks, Russia launched 179 drones at Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian air force. An entire family, including a 14-year-old girl, died in Zaporizhzhia when a drone crashed into their home late Friday. Rescue workers were seen digging through the debris as smoke filled the air.
In the eastern Donetsk region, Russian airstrikes resulted in at least two fatalities and three injuries, as reported by the local governor. Ukraine retaliated with its own drone attacks overnight, injuring two in Rostov-on-Don.
Meanwhile, President Zelensky reported that he had visited troops engaged in defending the besieged eastern city of Pokrovsk, which Russian forces have been attempting to encircle and capture for months.
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