US Delegation Pursues Black Sea Ceasefire Amid On going Ukraine-Russia Talks

Russian officials and a U.S. delegation will meet in Riyadh on Monday to continue talks on a possible Black Sea truce. This follows a series of discussions on Sunday with Ukrainian diplomats about how to lessen the bloodshed in Ukraine.

The discussions are part of a broader effort by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has intensified diplomatic initiatives to bring an end to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Last week, Trump spoke separately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin about the conflict.

The team is headed by Michael Anton, a senior State Department official, and Andrew Peek, Senior Director at the White House National Security Council, according to a U.S. official familiar with the discussions. They will meet with Russian officials, including Russian Federal Security Service adviser Sergei Beseda and senior diplomat Grigory Karasin, following their Sunday meeting with Ukrainian delegates.

The White House has described the primary objective of the discussions as establishing a ceasefire in the Black Sea, which would allow for the safe and free flow of shipping.
White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz explained during an appearance on CBS’ Face the Nation that talks will also cover a broader “line of control” between Russia and Ukraine,
focusing on verification measures, peacekeeping, and measures to “freeze” frontlines where they currently stand.

Confidence-building measures, including the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russia, are also on the agenda.

Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov shared on Facebook that the U.S.-Ukraine talks also included proposals to safeguard energy facilities and other critical infrastructure, which have become key targets in the ongoing war.

Trump’s change in U.S. foreign policy, especially in the wake of Russia’s 2024 territorial gains in Ukraine, is reflected in the diplomatic drive.
The U.S. President pushed for a diplomatic settlement, stopped military aid to Ukraine, and began bilateral discussions with Moscow.
Trump has long stated his desire to put an end to what he has called the bloodiest war in Europe since World War II.

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff toned down worries of a further Russian invasion, despite growing NATO partners’ concerns that Russia would gain confidence from a ceasefire agreement.
Witkoff compared the current state of affairs to the geopolitical tensions of World War II, arguing that President Putin is not looking to further expand into Europe.

Russian President Putin has expressed support for the U.S. proposal for a truce, but he has insisted on certain conditions before a ceasefire is finalized.

According to Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi, both sides are working on clarifying the specifics of potential ceasefire arrangements and how they will be monitored.

Trump’s offer to halt strikes on energy infrastructure for 30 days was approved by Putin last week, but the deal fell short of a more comprehensive ceasefire.
Although complete peace is still elusive, this temporary truce is a part of an ongoing effort to de-escalate the conflict.

Trump has indicated that diplomatic efforts to curb the escalation of the conflict are “somewhat under control,” with hopes for a broader ceasefire by April 20. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-23/us-hopes-for-ukraine-peace-deal-soon-as-putin-seems-in-no-hurry

However, despite all diplomatic activity, both Russia and Ukraine continue to report ongoing strikes, with Russian forces steadily advancing in the east of Ukraine, an area Moscow claims to have annexed.