KYIV: Ukrainian and US delegations mentioned on Sunday (Mar 23) proposals to protect energy facilities and important infrastructure, Ukraine’s defence minister stated, a part of a diplomatic push by US President Donald Trump to finish three years of battle.
The assembly in Saudi Arabia, which preceded talks on Monday between the US and Russian delegations, got here as US particular envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism concerning the possibilities of ending Europe’s deadliest battle since World Battle II.
“I really feel that (Russian President Vladimir Putin) needs peace,” Witkoff instructed Fox Information on Sunday.
“I believe that you will see in Saudi Arabia on Monday some actual progress, notably because it impacts a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between each international locations. And from that, you will naturally gravitate right into a full-on taking pictures ceasefire.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated his nation’s delegation to Sunday’s talks was working in “a very constructive method”, including: “The dialog is sort of helpful, the work of the delegations is continuous.”
“However it doesn’t matter what we are saying to our companions at this time, we have to get Putin to present an actual order to cease the strikes,” Zelenskyy stated in a televised assertion.
Ukraine’s delegation was headed by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who stated the goal of such contacts was serving to to “convey a simply peace nearer and to strengthen safety”, though Zelenskyy additionally stated Sunday’s talks had been basically “technical”.
Putin agreed final week to Trump’s proposal for Russia and Ukraine to cease assaults on one another’s power infrastructure for 30 days, however that narrowly outlined ceasefire was quickly solid into doubt, with each side reporting continued strikes.
