Delegations from Ukraine and Russia are holding critical ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia, with President Donald Trump reportedly pushing for a truce to be secured by Easter, April 20. These are believed to be the first parallel peace discussions between Washington, Kyiv, and Moscow since the full-scale invasion began.
The meeting, which started on Sunday night with Ukraine’s team and continued on Monday with Moscow’s delegation, is the latest attempt to halt over three years of brutal conflict. Trump aims to establish a ceasefire before the overlapping Easter celebrations for both Western and Orthodox Christians. However, Moscow’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov cautioned that a swift resolution was unlikely, calling the discussions the “beginning” of what would be a “difficult” negotiation process.
Key Issues on the Table:
- Energy Ceasefire: Talks are centred around a proposed 30-day pause on strikes against energy infrastructure, aimed to prevent further damage to crucial power facilities. Kyiv has accused Moscow of undermining this deal by bombing its own oil depot, while also attacking hospitals and civilian areas. Despite these concerns, President Zelensky has indicated a willingness to outline specific facilities for a partial ceasefire, including energy, rail, and port infrastructure.
- Black Sea Shipping: Moscow is pushing for the resumption of the 2022 UN-brokered deal to ensure safe shipping lanes in the Black Sea. This issue is seen as key to broader peace negotiations and could lead to a ceasefire involving shipping between the two countries.
- Territorial Control: A major sticking point is Russia’s demand for formal US recognition of its control over four Ukrainian regions. Although Ukraine maintains it cannot reclaim all occupied territories by force, it will not accept Russian sovereignty over any part of Ukraine. US officials have yet to clarify whether they will agree to such terms.
- NATO Membership and Security Guarantees: While Ukraine has suggested it could temporarily cede some territories in exchange for security guarantees, Trump has been sceptical about NATO membership for Ukraine. Moscow insists on reducing Ukraine’s military capacity as a condition for peace, a proposal that Ukraine is likely to reject.
US Involvement in Ukraine’s Resources: There are also discussions around the US securing a stake in Ukraine’s mineral and energy resources as a potential deterrent against future Russian aggression. This could include access to the country’s rare earth minerals and gas infrastructure. Trump’s administration has also floated the idea of the US helping manage Ukraine’s nuclear plants, particularly the Zaporizhzhia facility if returned to Ukrainian control.
Prisoner Exchange and Sanctions: Russia and Ukraine recently exchanged 175 prisoners of war each, with Russia also releasing an additional 22 heavily wounded Ukrainian prisoners. Western sanctions on Russia are also part of the broader discussions, with Putin seeking an easing of these sanctions in exchange for ending the war.
As these talks unfold, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that could bring an end to the devastating conflict. However, with entrenched positions on both sides, the road to peace remains uncertain.
