Official: US-Russia talks on Ukraine scheduled for March 24 in Riyadh

Consultations between Russian and US experts on the situation in Ukraine are set to take place on March 24 in Riyadh, as confirmed by Yuri Ushakov, the Russian President’s aide on international affairs, speaking to journalists.

"We have agreed with Mr. Waltz that the consultations on this matter will be conducted in a bilateral format by experts appointed by the presidents. These consultations will take place on Monday, March 24, in Riyadh," Ushakov stated, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

Ushakov expressed hope that the upcoming discussions will be productive. "We hope that the consultations on Monday will be fruitful," he added.

Notably, in a recent telephone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, both leaders agreed on a 30-day pause in attacks on energy infrastructure in Russia and Ukraine. The call marks a significant step toward peace efforts amid the ongoing conflict, but differences in the official statements from the White House and Kremlin have raised concerns about the clarity and feasibility of the agreement.

While the White House issued a brief statement, emphasizing the need for peace and the redirection of resources to the well-being of the people in both countries, the Kremlin’s statement was notably more detailed, including a series of demands for a complete ceasefire. Putin's proposal was conditioned on the cessation of foreign military aid to Ukraine, specifically from the US and its allies, and other terms related to Ukraine’s military actions.

The Russian president also highlighted concerns over the rearmament of Ukrainian forces and alleged forced mobilisations. Furthermore, Putin’s statement suggested that Russia would guarantee the safety and fair treatment of Ukrainian soldiers if they surrendered.

The White House did not mention these demands, focusing instead on the diplomatic efforts to end the war, including future negotiations on maritime peace in the Black Sea and a broader ceasefire. Both nations will begin technical talks in the Middle East, with previous diplomatic meetings in Saudi Arabia aimed at resolving the conflict.

However, Keir Giles, a senior fellow at Chatham House, pointed out that the discrepancies between the two statements have left observers uncertain about the true nature of the ceasefire agreement. As of now, the path to a lasting peace appears uncertain, with further negotiations needed to clarify the terms and resolve the ongoing differences between the US and Russia.

By Aghakazim Guliyev