Ukrainian and United States officials convened in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to discuss strategies for protecting critical infrastructure, including energy facilities, according to Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. The high-level discussions were part of a broader diplomatic effort led by U.S. President Donald Trump to bring an end to the war that has gripped Ukraine for three years and become the most lethal conflict in Europe since the Second World War. This meeting came ahead of scheduled talks on Monday between U.S. and Russian officials. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff conveyed optimism about potential progress, stating, “I feel that (Russian President Vladimir Putin) wants peace.” He added, “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.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described the atmosphere of Sunday’s talks as “completely constructive,” emphasizing that although discussions were productive, a real cessation of violence hinges on decisions from Moscow. “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,” Zelenskiy said in a televised statement. Defense Minister Umerov, who led the Ukrainian delegation, reinforced that the purpose of these engagements was to bring a “just peace closer and to strengthen security,” even as Zelenskiy characterized the day’s meetings as primarily “technical.”
Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a proposal from President Trump for both sides to halt attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure for a period of 30 days. However, the ceasefire has already come under strain. Despite the agreement, fresh attacks were reported by both nations. Ukraine experienced a large-scale Russian drone assault on Kyiv overnight, which claimed the lives of at least three individuals, including a five-year-old child. Fires broke out in high-rise apartment buildings, causing widespread destruction throughout the capital. In response, Russian officials reported that air defenses had intercepted 59 Ukrainian drones targeting the country’s southwestern areas. They confirmed one casualty in Rostov resulting from the strikes.
Zelenskiy, contending with ongoing Russian military pressure in eastern Ukraine, has publicly endorsed Trump’s call for a broad 30-day ceasefire. On Saturday, Trump suggested that current efforts to prevent further escalation were “somewhat under control.” Bloomberg News reported on Sunday that U.S. officials are aiming to secure a broader ceasefire by April 20, citing unnamed sources familiar with the planning.
White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said Sunday that the United States was working through a series of confidence-building measures to help bring an end to the war. These measures include discussions about the future of Ukrainian children taken into Russia. Waltz outlined a roadmap for negotiations, noting that after a Black Sea ceasefire is achieved, attention would shift to defining the “line of control,” referring to the actual front lines. He elaborated, “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.”
Despite the ongoing diplomatic momentum, concerns persist among European allies. Some fear that President Trump’s communication with Putin—two phone calls have been publicly disclosed, with the possibility of more—could signal a shift in U.S. priorities. There is apprehension that Washington may be willing to deprioritize Europe in pursuit of a larger geopolitical bargain that includes oil markets, the Middle East, and counterbalancing China. In response, European nations, particularly Britain and France, have taken steps to enhance their support for Ukraine. Both have committed to increasing military and logistical aid, while other countries across the continent have begun boosting their defense spending to reduce dependency on the United States.
In addressing these worries, Witkoff dismissed the idea that Putin could use a peace agreement in Ukraine as a launchpad for further aggression across Europe. “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,” he said, underscoring the view that the current conflict should not be automatically equated with previous eras of continental warfare.
A Fragile Path Toward Peace Amid Ongoing Violence
Despite high-stakes negotiations and cautious optimism from U.S. officials, the reality on the ground in Ukraine remains volatile. Continued drone strikes, civilian deaths, and mistrust between the involved parties present serious obstacles to securing even a temporary ceasefire. As diplomatic efforts intensify and new meetings take place, the international community will be watching closely to see if the push for peace can translate into concrete, lasting change in a war that has already cost countless lives.
