US Pushes for Partial Ukraine Ceasefire in Talks with Russia

U.S. negotiators held talks with Russian representatives on Monday to discuss a proposed partial ceasefire in Ukraine, a day after meeting with Ukraine’s delegation. Both Kyiv and Moscow have accused each other of undermining efforts to reach a temporary pause in the ongoing war.

The talks follow an agreement in principle brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump last week, though both sides remain at odds over the specifics of the ceasefire, particularly concerning which targets would be off-limits.

The White House has called for a ceasefire covering "energy and infrastructure," while the Kremlin insists it should only apply to "energy infrastructure." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pushed for railways and ports to be included in the ceasefire's scope.

Monday's discussions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, aimed to resolve these disagreements and explore the possibility of pausing Black Sea hostilities to protect commercial shipping.

Diplomatic Efforts Amid Military Tensions
U.S. and Russian diplomats met in Riyadh on Monday morning, with the Ukrainian delegation remaining in the city for further talks. Russian lawmaker Grigory Karasin, who is leading the Russian delegation, described the negotiations as progressing "creatively," noting that both sides "understand each other’s views."

Despite these diplomatic efforts, military tensions continue to escalate. Both Ukraine and Russia have launched cross-border attacks:

    Russia accused Ukraine of attacking an oil pumping station in southern Russia, a key point in its major export pipeline.

    Ukraine denied the accusation, claiming Russia shelled a gas metering station in Kursk and attempted to blame Kyiv.

Zelenskyy responded by calling for increased pressure on Russia, stating: "Since March 11, a proposal for an unconditional ceasefire has been on the table. But it is Russia that continues all this."

Optimism for Black Sea Ceasefire
Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed cautious optimism, predicting that a temporary pause in Black Sea hostilities could pave the way for a broader ceasefire.

China Denies Sending Peacekeepers
Amid speculation that China might deploy peacekeepers to Ukraine, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun firmly denied the reports, stating, “China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is clear and consistent.” While China has provided economic and diplomatic support to Russia, it has not sent weapons or personnel to the conflict. However, reports suggest North Korea, an ally of China, has deployed troops to assist Russian forces.

Cyberattack on Ukrainian Railways
Ukraine's state railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, was hit by a massive cyberattack on Sunday, disrupting its online booking system. The company reassured passengers that train operations remained unaffected, emphasizing, "The railway continues to operate despite physical attacks on the infrastructure, and even the most vile cyberattacks cannot stop it."

Escalating Strikes
Both sides have continued military operations amid the talks:

    Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces claimed responsibility for destroying four Russian military helicopters in Belgorod using U.S.-supplied HIMARS rockets.

    Russia launched a missile strike on Sumy, northern Ukraine, hitting residential buildings and a school. At least 28 people were injured, including four children.

    Ukraine’s air force intercepted 57 of 99 Russian attack and decoy drones launched overnight.

What’s Next?
The outcome of these negotiations remains uncertain as Russia insists on conditions for a full ceasefire, including a halt to Ukraine’s military mobilization and a stop to Western weapons deliveries—demands Kyiv and its allies have firmly rejected. Meanwhile, Trump’s mediation efforts continue amid skepticism from both sides.