Officials from the United States and Russia commenced discussions in Saudi Arabia on Monday, seeking a partial ceasefire in Ukraine.
The talks followed a separate meeting on Sunday between American and Ukrainian representatives.
US President Donald Trump is advocating for a swift resolution to the three-year war and hopes negotiations in Riyadh will lead to significant progress.
Both nations have put forth different proposals for temporary ceasefires, yet hostilities have persisted.
Initially, the discussions were intended to run concurrently, allowing US mediators to engage in shuttle diplomacy between the parties.
However, the meetings are now taking place sequentially. Russia’s TASS news agency reported that the US-Russia session began at approximately 07:30 GMT.
The prior meeting between Ukraine, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and American officials concluded late Sunday.
Umerov described the talks as “productive,” noting that key issues, including energy security, were discussed.
He reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to achieving a “just and lasting peace.”
Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed optimism, suggesting that Monday’s talks could yield progress, particularly concerning a ceasefire in the Black Sea.
“I believe we will see significant steps in Saudi Arabia, starting with a naval ceasefire that could pave the way for a broader cessation of hostilities,” he told Fox News.
However, the Kremlin remained cautious, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov tempering expectations.
“We are at the beginning of a long process,” he said, adding that numerous issues regarding ceasefire implementation remain unresolved.
While Ukraine and the US push for a full 30-day ceasefire, Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed limiting the halt to attacks on energy infrastructure.
Peskov also confirmed that discussions with Washington would focus on reviving the 2022 Black Sea grain deal, which Moscow withdrew from in 2023, citing unfulfilled commitments by the West.