Ukraine Seeks 'Partial Ceasefire' During Discussions in Saudi Arabia
Ukraine aims to achieve at least a partial ceasefire in the forthcoming discussions in Saudi Arabia, where U.S. officials are expected to hold separate meetings with both Russian and Ukrainian delegations.
TroibNews
Ukraine is seeking a partial ceasefire during upcoming discussions in Saudi Arabia, where U.S. officials plan to meet separately with Russian and Ukrainian delegations.
"We still want to agree on a ceasefire, at least on what we have proposed," a Ukrainian source told AFP, pointing to calls for a halt to strikes on energy facilities, civilian infrastructure, and assaults in the Black Sea.
Recent weeks have seen growing momentum in favor of a ceasefire, with the U.S. urging both parties to reach an agreement.
"Russia has paid a heavy price in the ongoing conflict, while Ukraine continues to suffer daily troop losses. Both sides have reached a point where seeking peace and reconciliation has become necessary," Zhao Junjie, a researcher from the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, conveyed to CN.
He noted that with the new U.S. administration adjusting its approach to the conflict, if Washington advocates for an end to hostilities, both Russia and Ukraine are likely to comply.
At present, both nations claim to support a 30-day pause in strikes on energy infrastructure—a pause that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered on Tuesday, although Kyiv asserts that Moscow has already violated it.
Both parties have confirmed discussions regarding a partial ceasefire will take place with U.S. officials on Monday in Saudi Arabia.
The Ukrainian delegation will be headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who will engage in a "technical discussion" about the implementation of any truce. These discussions will cover "what facilities" would be subject to limited strikes and "how to oversee the ceasefire."
President Zelenskyy mentioned on Thursday that while he initially aimed for a broader ceasefire, he is eager to collaborate with the U.S. to stop arms from targeting power production and civilian areas.
The day before, he indicated his intent to expand the list of facilities for the partial ceasefire to include energy targets along with rail and port infrastructure.
Additionally, he addressed the issue of U.S. ownership of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, clarifying that he would not entertain discussions with Trump regarding potential U.S. control.
On the Russian side, Grigory Karasin, a former diplomat and current chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, along with Sergei Beseda, an advisor to the director of the Federal Security Service, will represent Russia.
As separate U.S. talks with Russia and Ukraine approach, U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that negotiations to conclude the conflict would involve agreements on territorial division.
However, experts caution that disputes over territorial claims and ownership of nuclear power plants could escalate tensions among Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S., as any territorial concession from Ukraine could provoke public and media backlash.
"Negotiating land division remains one of the most challenging aspects of the talks," Zhao said. "Whoever holds the advantage will gain certain benefits, potentially receiving compensation or even territorial concessions. It's a zero-sum game."
In London, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened Western military officials on Thursday. Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron expressed readiness to deploy peacekeepers in Ukraine following a complete ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv—an initiative Russia has dismissed.
Macron further proposed initiating discussions on extending France's nuclear umbrella to encompass the entire European Union.
In response, Russia accused Europe of becoming a "war party," asserting that European statements reflect prevalent anti-Russian sentiments across the continent.
As the U.S. shifts its position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, several of Europe's major military nations are formulating plans to take on greater responsibility for continental defense, amid concerns over NATO's future and potential U.S. disengagement.
These conversations include a proposal for progressively transferring military responsibilities from the U.S. to European capitals over the next five to ten years, with a focus on boosting European defense spending and enhancing military capabilities to reduce reliance on the United States.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
"We still want to agree on a ceasefire, at least on what we have proposed," a Ukrainian source told AFP, pointing to calls for a halt to strikes on energy facilities, civilian infrastructure, and assaults in the Black Sea.
Recent weeks have seen growing momentum in favor of a ceasefire, with the U.S. urging both parties to reach an agreement.
"Russia has paid a heavy price in the ongoing conflict, while Ukraine continues to suffer daily troop losses. Both sides have reached a point where seeking peace and reconciliation has become necessary," Zhao Junjie, a researcher from the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, conveyed to CN.
He noted that with the new U.S. administration adjusting its approach to the conflict, if Washington advocates for an end to hostilities, both Russia and Ukraine are likely to comply.
At present, both nations claim to support a 30-day pause in strikes on energy infrastructure—a pause that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered on Tuesday, although Kyiv asserts that Moscow has already violated it.
Both parties have confirmed discussions regarding a partial ceasefire will take place with U.S. officials on Monday in Saudi Arabia.
The Ukrainian delegation will be headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who will engage in a "technical discussion" about the implementation of any truce. These discussions will cover "what facilities" would be subject to limited strikes and "how to oversee the ceasefire."
President Zelenskyy mentioned on Thursday that while he initially aimed for a broader ceasefire, he is eager to collaborate with the U.S. to stop arms from targeting power production and civilian areas.
The day before, he indicated his intent to expand the list of facilities for the partial ceasefire to include energy targets along with rail and port infrastructure.
Additionally, he addressed the issue of U.S. ownership of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, clarifying that he would not entertain discussions with Trump regarding potential U.S. control.
On the Russian side, Grigory Karasin, a former diplomat and current chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, along with Sergei Beseda, an advisor to the director of the Federal Security Service, will represent Russia.
As separate U.S. talks with Russia and Ukraine approach, U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that negotiations to conclude the conflict would involve agreements on territorial division.
However, experts caution that disputes over territorial claims and ownership of nuclear power plants could escalate tensions among Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S., as any territorial concession from Ukraine could provoke public and media backlash.
"Negotiating land division remains one of the most challenging aspects of the talks," Zhao said. "Whoever holds the advantage will gain certain benefits, potentially receiving compensation or even territorial concessions. It's a zero-sum game."
In London, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened Western military officials on Thursday. Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron expressed readiness to deploy peacekeepers in Ukraine following a complete ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv—an initiative Russia has dismissed.
Macron further proposed initiating discussions on extending France's nuclear umbrella to encompass the entire European Union.
In response, Russia accused Europe of becoming a "war party," asserting that European statements reflect prevalent anti-Russian sentiments across the continent.
As the U.S. shifts its position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, several of Europe's major military nations are formulating plans to take on greater responsibility for continental defense, amid concerns over NATO's future and potential U.S. disengagement.
These conversations include a proposal for progressively transferring military responsibilities from the U.S. to European capitals over the next five to ten years, with a focus on boosting European defense spending and enhancing military capabilities to reduce reliance on the United States.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
