INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
A conference between Russian and U.S
officials on a partial ceasefire in Ukraine ended after 12 hours of settlements in Saudi Arabia on Monday, Russian state media reported,
with a joint statement anticipated the following day.With Ukrainian negotiators waiting close by, a day after they took a seat with the U.S
team, the Americans and Russians met in Riyadh with a Black Sea ceasefire top of the agenda.President Donald Trump is pushing for a quick
end to the three-year war and hopes the latest round of talks will lead the way for a breakthrough.While the talks occurred at a high-end
hotel in the Saudi capital, almost 90 people including 17 kids were injured in a missile attack on Sumy in northeastern Ukraine, President
Volodymyr Zelensky said.The attack on a densely inhabited suburb harmed apartments and an instructional center, the regional prosecutors
The citys acting mayor previously stated a medical facility had actually been affected.The Ukrainian negotiating group was expecting a 2nd
delegation on Monday, a source in Kyiv told AFP, an indication that development may have been made.Russias state-run TASS news firm
mentioned a source as stating that the conference with the U.S
had ended after more than 12 hours of assessments and that a joint declaration on outcomes would be released Tuesday.Trumps propositionAt
a previous round of talks this month in Jeddah days after Zelenskys White House dressing-down by Trump Kyiv consented to a U.S.-proposed
30-day ceasefire that was subsequently declined by Russian President Vladimir Putin.Officials are now studying a possible resumption of the
Black Sea Initiative, an agreement that permitted millions of tonnes of grain and other food exports to be shipped from Ukraines ports
The concern of the Black Sea Initiative and all elements connected to the renewal of this initiative is on the agenda today, Kremlin
spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in his everyday rundown
This was President Trumps proposal and President Putin agreed to it
It was with this mandate that our delegation took a trip to Riyadh
The U.S.-Ukraine and U.S.-Russia talks were initially prepared to happen concurrently to make it possible for shuttle bus diplomacy, with
the United States going back and forth in between the delegations, but they are now taking place one after the other.Ukraines Defense
Minister Rustem Umerov, who heads the Ukrainian team, stated Sundays talks with the United States were efficient and focused
Trump envoy Steve Witkoff has voiced optimism that any agreement would lead the way for a full-on ceasefire
I think youre going to see in Saudi Arabia on Monday some real progress, particularly as it affects a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between
both nations, he informed Fox News
And from that youll naturally gravitate to a full-on shooting ceasefire
Only at the beginningBut the Kremlin has minimized expectations of a fast resolution
We are just at the beginning of this path, Peskov told Russian state TV on Sunday, including: There are tough settlements ahead
When Putin, in a lengthy phone call with Trump, rebuffed the joint U.S.-Ukrainian call for a full and instant 30-day time out, he proposed
instead a stop in attacks on energy facilities.The conventional enemies are now talking about the return of the Black Sea Initiative, which
was initially brokered by Turkey and the United Nations in 2022
Russia took out of the contract in 2023, accusing the West of stopping working to maintain its dedications to ease sanctions on Russias own
exports of farm fruit and vegetables and fertilizers.A senior Ukrainian main previously informed AFP that Kyiv would propose a broader
ceasefire, covering attacks on energy facilities, facilities and marine strikes.Mutually advantageousBefore the missile strike on Sumy, both
sides had released fresh drone attacks on the eve of the negotiations.And Ukraines nationwide railway operator said Monday it was countering
a sophisticated cyberattack for the 2nd day running.Moscow headed into the Saudi talks after a rapprochement with Washington under Trump
that improved the Kremlins confidence.Peskov said Sunday that the potential for equally advantageous cooperation in a variety of spheres
between our countries can not be overstated
We may disagree on some things however that does not suggest we ought to deprive ourselves of shared advantage, he added.Meanwhile,
British and French defense chiefs satisfied in London on Monday to go over prepare for allied countries to protect any ceasefire deal as
Prime Minister Keir Starmers so-called union of the willing.Questions remain over what shape such an effort may take, but Starmer and
French President Emmanuel Macron have actually voiced desire to put British and French soldiers on the ground in Ukraine
If there is an offer, its a deal that needs to be protected, Starmers spokesman said.
