Ukraine and US Delegations Discuss Proposals to Protect Energy Facilities and Critical Infrastructure
Talks in Saudi Arabia
Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov announced that the Ukrainian and US delegations discussed proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure on Sunday, as part of a diplomatic push by US President Donald Trump to end the three-year war.
The meeting in Saudi Arabia precedes talks on Monday between the US and Russian delegations. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about the chances for ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War Two.
Putin’s Intentions
"I feel that [Russian President Vladimir Putin] wants peace," Witkoff told Fox News on Sunday. "I think that you’re going to see in Saudi Arabia on Monday some real progress, particularly as it affects a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between both countries. And from that, you’ll naturally gravitate into a full-on shooting ceasefire."
Ukraine’s Perspective
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said his country’s delegation to Sunday’s talks was working in "a completely constructive manner", adding: "The conversation is quite useful, the work of the delegations is continuing. But no matter what we say to our partners today, we need to get Putin to give a real order to stop the strikes."
Ceasefire Agreements
Putin agreed last week to Trump’s proposal for Russia and Ukraine to stop attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure for 30 days, but that narrowly defined ceasefire was soon cast into doubt, with both sides reporting continued strikes. A large-scale Russian drone attack on Kyiv overnight killed at least three people, including a 5-year-old child, causing fires in high-rise apartment buildings and damage throughout the capital, Ukrainian officials said on Sunday.
US Hopes for a Broader Ceasefire
Trump said on Saturday that efforts to stop further escalation in the Ukraine-Russia war were "somewhat under control". The US hopes to reach a broad ceasefire within weeks, targeting a truce agreement by April 20, Bloomberg News reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the planning.
Confidence-Building Measures
White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said the United States was talking through a range of confidence-building measures aimed at ending the war, including on the future of Ukrainian children taken into Russia. "We’ll talk the line of control, which is the actual front lines," Waltz said. "And that gets into the details of verification mechanisms, peacekeeping, freezing the lines where they are. And then of course, the broader and permanent peace."
European Concerns
Trump’s contacts with Putin have spooked European leaders who fear Washington could be turning its back on Europe in the hope of striking a peace deal with Russia as part of some broader grand bargain encompassing oil prices, the Middle East, and competition with China. However, Witkoff played down concerns among Washington’s European NATO allies that Putin might be emboldened by any peace deal in Ukraine to invade other neighbours.
"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 Two," Witkoff said.
Conclusion
The ongoing talks between Ukraine and the US aim to bring a peaceful resolution to the conflict, with a focus on protecting energy facilities and critical infrastructure. While there are concerns about the intentions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the US and Ukraine remain committed to finding a solution to the conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current state of the Ukraine-Russia conflict?
A: The conflict is ongoing, with both sides reporting continued attacks and violence.
Q: What is the US position on the conflict?
A: The US is pushing for a ceasefire and a broader peace agreement, with a focus on protecting energy facilities and critical infrastructure.
Q: What are the concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intentions?
A: There are concerns that Putin might be emboldened by any peace deal in Ukraine to invade other neighbours, but US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff believes that Putin does not want to take control of all of Europe.