US, Ukraine to Hold Follow-Up Talks in Riyadh After US-Russia Meeting on Black Sea Ceasefire

US officials are set to meet with their Ukrainian counterparts in Saudi Arabia following discussions with Russian negotiators on a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, with a focus on halting attacks on Black Sea shipping.

A senior Ukrainian official confirmed that the follow-up meeting would take place later Monday, after the US and Russian delegations conclude their discussions in Riyadh. The primary agenda of the US-Russia talks has been securing a deal to protect commercial shipping in the Black Sea, a move seen as a step toward a broader ceasefire agreement in the three-year-long war.

Ukraine has been pushing for a cessation of Russian strikes on key port cities, including Odesa, Kherson, and Mykolaiv, which are vital for its grain exports. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who led Kyiv’s delegation, described earlier discussions with US officials as “productive,” emphasizing the need to safeguard civilian and energy infrastructure.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that talks included discussions on reviving the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a 2022 UN- and Turkey-brokered deal that allowed Ukraine to export agricultural goods. Moscow withdrew from the agreement in 2023, citing unfulfilled promises by the West to ease restrictions on Russian exports.

No Immediate Breakthrough Expected

Despite ongoing negotiations, officials on all sides have downplayed expectations of a major breakthrough. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that no immediate resolution is anticipated.

“The Russian delegation has been negotiating with US officials for over eight hours, mainly discussing a proposed 30-day ceasefire related to energy infrastructure and Black Sea trade routes,” reported Al Jazeera’s Dorsa Jabbari from Moscow.

Meanwhile, analysts suggest Russia may be using the talks to push for additional concessions. Oleksiy Melnyk, a security expert at Ukraine’s Razumkov Centre, noted that Moscow is likely leveraging negotiations to demand further guarantees.

As diplomatic efforts continue, all eyes remain on Riyadh to see whether the discussions will pave the way for a limited ceasefire or a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the region.