U.S. and Ukrainian Officials to Meet with Putin for Peace Talks in Saudi Arabia

Ukrainian and U.S. officials are gathering in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to lay the groundwork for peace talks, with Russian President Vladimir Putin expected to participate. Confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and acknowledged by the Kremlin, this meeting comes as Kyiv emphasizes an unconditional approach to ending the conflict. Zelenskyy has urged Putin to cease making demands that only serve to prolong the war.

In parallel, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer noted that military planning to secure a potential ceasefire is moving into an operational phase. The discussions, which have been taking shape as early as March 24–26, are seen as a promising step amid broader international efforts to safeguard energy infrastructure, maritime navigation in the Black Sea, and other key security concerns. Further talks and multi-party contacts are expected to follow, as negotiators work to balance stringent ceasefire conditions with the complex dynamics on the ground.