On Sunday, US officials met with a Ukrainian delegation led by the country’s defense minister. American representatives are scheduled to meet with Russian officials on Monday.
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed the meeting in Saudi Arabia. “We are implementing the President of Ukraine’s directive to bring a just peace closer and to strengthen security. The agenda includes proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure,” he wrote on X. “Today, we’re working through a number of complex technical issues – our delegation includes energy experts as well as military representatives from the naval and air components.”
Following several hours of discussions with Americans, Umerov said, “We have concluded our meeting with the American team. The discussion was productive and focused – we addressed key points, including energy.” He continued, “President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s goal is to secure a just and lasting peace for our country and our people – and, by extension, for all of Europe. We are working to make that goal a reality.”
The Americans met with Ukrainian officials ahead of meeting with a Russian delegation that will also take place in Riyadh. American and Ukrainian officials could meet again on Monday.
The American delegation includes members of the special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg’s staff, State Department official Michael Anton, and aides to the national security adviser, Mike Waltz. Washington reportedly sidelined Kellogg himself from talks after a request from Moscow.
President Trump is attempting to push Kiev and Moscow to enter a limited ceasefire in hopes it will lead to a broader deal to end the war. Last week, Russia and Ukraine agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure. However, it is unclear when that truce will take effect, and so far, the attacks have continued.
Trump has claimed that he is the only person who can secure a deal between Kiev and Moscow. He said on Saturday, “I don’t think there’s anybody in the world that is going to stop [Russian President Vladimir Putin] except me,” adding, “We’ve had some very rational discussions, and I just want to see the people stop getting killed.”
Kyle Anzalone is the opinion editor of Antiwar.com and news editor of the Libertarian Institute. He hosts The Kyle Anzalone Show and is co-host of Conflicts of Interest with Connor Freeman.
Very sad that America is negotiating with a rogue terrorist state called Ukraine.
The civil war in Ukraine between those from western Ukraine and people from eastern Ukraine has been going on for years.
It's a cultural, religious, and ethnic war and all military aid to Ukraine should be stopped NOW!
When hands are extended, rather than arms, we can all find peace….!….!
Ukraine has nothing to do with Europe's security, but nodding in that direction is a smart way to keep the cash and arms flowing.
The impulse to stop the carnage is good.
https://strategic-culture.su/news/2025/03/24/trump-and-putin-begin-addressing-cumulated-geo-strategic-debris-amidst-trump-ultimatum-to-iran/
Alastair Crooke
https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/negotiations-continue-to-go-nowhere
There's no US or European leader stopping weapons shipments into Ukraine via Romania.
"…..stop Putin…". Proof that our Chief Exec is still not officially acknowledging the role of the "Deep State", or even a previous US Administration of starting (or at least enabling) the proxy war. I know he has said in passing that either Biden or Zelensky was responsible for it, depending on which speech or interview. But here he's talking as if it was all Putin, wanting to expand the "Russian Empire", or whatever. Which is it, Mr. President? And "stop" him from what?
He isn't following the deep state goals which is to confront Russia and China. He is following the shallow state, which he is part of, to rule the west Asia (old ME) via Israel…!
We'll have to see about that. He still comes out with anti-China statements in between saying he wants to "talk" with them. He says he wants to "negotiate with" and to "make a deal" with Iran but look at what his administration is trying to do NOW. I believe he may be trying to get "closer" to Russia in the hope to get them to turn on China. And of course, Iran. When that doesn't work, he'll get back to sanctions with other threats and rants. He's shown he can't be trusted.