Ukrainian and U.S. delegations discussed proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure, according to Ukraine's defense minister. This meeting, which took place in Saudi Arabia, precedes discussions between U.S. and Russian delegations and comes as a U.S. special envoy expressed optimism about the prospects for ending Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II.
The envoy stated, "I feel that (Russian President Vladimir Putin) wants peace." He anticipates that the talks in Saudi Arabia will yield real progress, particularly regarding a ceasefire in the Black Sea, and expressed hopes for a broader ceasefire to follow.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy noted that his country's delegation was working in a "completely constructive manner," emphasizing that their conversations have been quite useful. However, he stressed the necessity of getting Putin to order a halt to the strikes.
Led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's delegation aimed to facilitate a just peace and enhance security, though Zelenskiy characterized the discussions as primarily technical.
Putin last week responded to the proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, aimed at halting attacks on each other's energy infrastructure. However, this fragile truce soon faced skepticism as both sides reported continued attacks.
Overnight, a large-scale Russian drone assault on Kyiv killed at least three people, including a 5-year-old child, igniting fires in high-rise buildings and causing widespread damage, according to Ukrainian officials. Conversely, Russian authorities reported downing 59 Ukrainian drones targeting areas in southwestern Russia, with one fatality in Rostov due to the strikes.
Facing persistent pressure from advancing Russian troops in eastern Ukraine, Zelenskiy has supported the call for a blanket 30-day ceasefire.
Efforts to prevent further escalation of the Ukraine-Russia conflict are ongoing. The U.S. aims to achieve a broad ceasefire in the coming weeks, seeking to finalize a truce agreement by April 20.
U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz indicated that discussions are underway regarding various confidence-building measures to end the war, including issues related to Ukrainian children taken to Russia. He outlined that once a Black Sea ceasefire is established, discussions will shift to the line of control and details regarding verification mechanisms, peacekeeping, and establishing a permanent peace.
The interaction between Trump and Putin, characterized by two publicly acknowledged phone calls, has raised concerns among European leaders who fear that Washington may be withdrawing support for Europe in pursuit of a peace deal with Russia as part of a broader arrangement involving oil prices, the Middle East, and competition with China.
Britain and France are spearheading European initiatives to strengthen military and logistical support for Ukraine, while several countries are planning to increase defense spending to reduce reliance on the United States.
However, concerns among NATO allies about Putin potentially feeling emboldened by a peace deal to invade other neighbors were downplayed by Witkoff: "I just don't see that he wants to take all of Europe. This is a much different situation than it was in World War II."