U.S. negotiators are working hard to finalize a proposed partial ceasefire in Ukraine. They met with Russian representatives on Monday, following separate talks with Ukrainian officials the day before. Both sides have accused each other of hindering the peace process in the ongoing conflict, which has lasted for three years.
Kyiv and Moscow reached a preliminary agreement for a limited ceasefire last Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with the leaders of both countries. However, they have different interpretations of what should be protected from attacks. The White House stated that “energy and infrastructure” would be included, while the Kremlin specified that only “energy infrastructure” would be covered. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for additional protections for railways and ports.
The discussions on Monday aim to clarify these disagreements and explore a potential halt to attacks in the Black Sea to safeguard commercial shipping.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Russian forces are following President Vladimir Putin’s directive to stop attacks on energy facilities for 30 days. However, he accused Ukraine of undermining the ceasefire by targeting a gas metering station in Russia’s Kursk region. Ukraine’s military has denied these claims, blaming Russia for the attack.
Despite the ceasefire talks, Russian troops launched a new wave of drone strikes on Ukraine, causing damage and injuries. Zelenskyy emphasized in a recent statement that an unconditional ceasefire proposal has been on the table since March 11, blaming Russia for the ongoing violence.
As the U.S. and Russian teams met in Riyadh, there were expectations for further discussions. Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine’s openness to a full, 30-day ceasefire proposed by Trump. However, Putin’s conditions for a complete ceasefire include halting arms supplies to Ukraine and stopping its military mobilization, demands that Ukraine and its allies have rejected.
Amid these tensions, the Chinese government has ruled out sending peacekeeping forces to Ukraine, stating that reports suggesting otherwise are false. China has provided Russia with trade support but has not sent military aid.
In addition to the military conflict, a significant cyberattack targeted Ukraine’s state railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, affecting their online booking system but not disrupting train services. Ukrainian forces also claimed to have destroyed four Russian helicopters using American-supplied HIMARS rocket systems.
The situation remains fluid as both sides continue to engage in talks, while the violence persists on the ground.