Kellogg Describes Monday’s Talks in Saudi Arabia as Shuttle Diplomacy Between Hotel Rooms

Jeddah talks between the US and Russian delegations at Al-Diriyah Palace in Riyadh on February 18 (Reuters)
Jeddah talks between the US and Russian delegations at Al-Diriyah Palace in Riyadh on February 18 (Reuters)
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Kellogg Describes Monday’s Talks in Saudi Arabia as Shuttle Diplomacy Between Hotel Rooms

Jeddah talks between the US and Russian delegations at Al-Diriyah Palace in Riyadh on February 18 (Reuters)
Jeddah talks between the US and Russian delegations at Al-Diriyah Palace in Riyadh on February 18 (Reuters)

With 48 hours remaining before separate US-mediated talks between Ukraine and Russia in Saudi Arabia, both sides have expressed hope for progress toward a potential ceasefire in the three-year-long war. US negotiators will meet separately with the Russian and Ukrainian delegations on Monday in what US envoy Keith Kellogg described as shuttle diplomacy between hotel rooms.

Moscow stated that it hopes for some progress in the negotiations, according to Russian negotiator Grigory Karasin, who spoke to a state television channel. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Saturday that Ukraine is striving for peace more than any other country and is working with US and European partners to achieve it.

Despite diplomatic efforts and pressure from US President Donald Trump, achieving a breakthrough remains difficult. Karasin, speaking to Russia’s Defense Ministry-affiliated Zvezda TV channel, expressed cautious optimism, stating that he and fellow negotiator Sergey Beseda, a senior official in Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), are approaching the talks with a constructive and positive attitude.

A Ukrainian official told Agence France Presse that Kyiv hopes the negotiations will lead, at the very least, to a halt in attacks on energy facilities, infrastructure, and Black Sea ports by both sides.

The Russian delegation is expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Sunday and return home on Tuesday. The choice of Russian negotiators has raised questions, as neither Karasin nor Beseda comes from traditional diplomatic institutions such as the Kremlin or the foreign and defense ministries. Karasin is a former diplomat and current senator in Russia’s upper house of parliament, while Beseda is a high-ranking FSB officer. The FSB admitted in 2014 that Beseda had been in Kyiv during the violent suppression of pro-European protests.

According to Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, Monday’s talks in Saudi Arabia between Ukrainian and US representatives will primarily focus on technical aspects of a potential limited ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyistated that the meeting aims to set standards for the various ceasefire options currently on the table.

Tykhyi confirmed that Ukraine had agreed to a US proposal for a full 30-day ceasefire and once again blamed Russia for failing to implement any form of truce. However, he added that Ukraine has no information about the separate negotiations between the US and Russia in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing that Kyiv is only preparing for its discussions with the American representatives.

Sybiha will not travel to Saudi Arabia, but Defense Minister Rustem Umerov is expected to participate in the talks. Discussions will focus on a US proposal to ensure the safety of maritime navigation in the Black Sea by implementing a limited ceasefire in designated maritime areas.



King Salman Orders Hosting of 1,300 Pilgrims from 100 Nations for Hajj 1446 AH

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
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King Salman Orders Hosting of 1,300 Pilgrims from 100 Nations for Hajj 1446 AH

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has issued a royal directive to host 1,300 male and female pilgrims from 100 countries to perform Hajj in the year 1446 AH, under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visitation, which is overseen by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance.
Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Alsheikh, General Supervisor of the program, expressed his profound gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince. He praised the generous directive as a testament to the wise leadership's dedication to serving the causes of the Islamic nation and a reaffirmation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's steadfast position in the Islamic world, SPA reported.
Minister Al Alsheikh stated that following the royal directive, the ministry immediately mobilized all its resources and capabilities to deliver the highest quality services to the esteemed guests. A comprehensive implementation plan has been meticulously prepared, encompassing faith-based, cultural, and educational programs. These include organized visits to key Islamic and historical landmarks in Makkah and Madinah, as well as meetings with prominent scholars and imams of the Two Holy Mosques, all aimed at enriching the pilgrims' spiritual and intellectual experience.
He emphasized that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visitation is a unique initiative designed to strengthen bonds with religious, scholarly, and intellectual leaders across the Islamic world, while fostering cultural exchange and advocacy. Since its inception in 1417 AH, the program has hosted approximately 65,000 pilgrims from 140 countries. The ministry has provided these guests with a comprehensive range of logistical, religious, health, and cultural services, from their nomination through to their return to their home countries after completing the Hajj rituals.
He underscored that this hosting initiative clearly portrays the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to serving Islam and Muslims. It aligns with the Kingdom’s vision to deepen its ties with Islamic nations and enhance its positive presence on the global stage, thereby contributing to the achievement of Saudi Vision 2030's Islamic and humanitarian goals.