Ukrainian delegation pauses US talks, awaiting Russia-US talks conclusion in Riyadh

The Ukrainian delegation is holding off on further negotiations with the US until the conclusion of consultations between Russia and the US in Riyadh.

“The Ukrainian delegation remains at the negotiation site. Once the Russia-US consultations wrap up, the Ukrainian team is expected to resume talks with the US delegation,” the source said, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Earlier, Advisor of Ukrainian president’s chief of staff Serhiy Leshchenko confirmed in an interview with Ukrainian Rada TV channel that the Ukrainian delegation, which met with US representatives on March 23, would stay in Riyadh. The delegation will not return until the Russia-US talks are complete, after which they plan to hold their own consultations with US officials. 

On the evening of March 23, talks took place in Riyadh between the delegations of the US and Ukraine. The Ukrainian delegation was led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, Deputy Head of the president’s office Pavlo Palisa, along with representatives from the armed forces and energy experts. 

The discussions focused on the parameters of a 30-day ceasefire for energy infrastructure and addressed maritime security concerns in the Black Sea. On March 21, US President's Special Envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, announced that the US intends to facilitate indirect talks between Russian and Ukrainian representatives in Riyadh. 

The first meeting between Ukrainian and US delegations took place on March 11 in the Saudi city of Jeddah. During this session, US and Ukrainian officials resumed dialogue on resolving the Ukrainian conflict following the fallout between President Zelenskyy and President Trump in the White House's Oval Office.

By Naila Huseynova