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3rd Round of Negotiations between the US, Russia, Ukraine Kick off in Saudi Arabia

Senior Saudi, American and Russian officials are seen at talks hosted by Riyadh on February 18. (Reuters)
Senior Saudi, American and Russian officials are seen at talks hosted by Riyadh on February 18. (Reuters)
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3rd Round of Negotiations between the US, Russia, Ukraine Kick off in Saudi Arabia

Senior Saudi, American and Russian officials are seen at talks hosted by Riyadh on February 18. (Reuters)
Senior Saudi, American and Russian officials are seen at talks hosted by Riyadh on February 18. (Reuters)

The third round of meetings aimed at reaching a ceasefire in Ukraine kicked off between American and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia on Monday.

On Sunday, American and Ukrainian officials met to discuss proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure, Ukraine's defense minister said.

Asharq Al-Awsat learned that the third round will be held on the level of technical teams. More meetings will be announced in the future with the hopes of achieving a breakthrough.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about the chances for ending the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

"I feel that (Russian President Vladimir Putin) wants peace," Witkoff told Fox News on Sunday.

"I think that you're going to see in Saudi Arabia on Monday some real progress, particularly as it affects a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between both countries. And from that, you'll naturally gravitate into a full-on shooting ceasefire."

White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said on Sunday the United States was talking through a range of confidence-building measures aimed at ending the war, including on the future of Ukrainian children taken into Russia.

Asked about the goals for the broader negotiations, Waltz said that after a Black Sea ceasefire was agreed, "we'll talk the line of control, which is the actual front lines".

"And that gets into the details of verification mechanisms, peacekeeping, freezing the lines where they are," Waltz said. "And then of course, the broader and permanent peace."

Founder and Chairman of the Gulf Research Center Dr. Abdulaziz Sager told Asharq Al-Awsat that the third round of talks may perhaps lead to parties to agree on a middle ground.

He explained that Washington's continued support to Kyiv may have a positive effect in persuading Moscow to offer concessions.

He stressed, however, that it is unlikely that the US will return to offering the same level of support like the former administration under President Joe Biden.

But, regardless of the leanings of the new administration, the "US has no strategic interest in Russia emerging as victor in the conflict," he went on to say.

The conflict in Ukraine is complex and various interests are at stake, so it will not be easy to resolve, Saqer stated. "Saudi Arabia is therefore helping move things forward."

The conflict in Ukraine is effectively taking place on two levels: The first involves Ukraine and its western allies with Russia and the second involved Ukraine and its European allies with the current US administration under President Donald Trump.

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Gulf

Saudi Foreign Minister Begins Official Visit to the UK

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
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Saudi Foreign Minister Begins Official Visit to the UK

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrived in the United Kingdom on Monday on an official visit, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the visit, the minister is scheduled to meet with Yvette Cooper, UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, to discuss bilateral relations and regional and international developments.

Gulf

EU Reaffirms Importance of Partnership with GCC

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas speaks with the media as she arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, May 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman)
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas speaks with the media as she arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, May 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman)
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EU Reaffirms Importance of Partnership with GCC

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas speaks with the media as she arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, May 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman)
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas speaks with the media as she arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, May 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman)

The European Union reaffirmed on Monday the importance of strengthening its partnership with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in light of escalating regional challenges, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said during a press conference that EU foreign ministers discussed during their monthly meeting in Brussels ways to deepening strategic relations with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

She noted that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz has further deteriorated following recent Iranian attacks, which have directly affected trade and maritime navigation.

Kallas added that the European foreign ministers also discussed the future of Operation Aspides, which aims to protect and ensure freedom of navigation, affirming that the EU intends to enhance its level of engagement and cooperation within the mission.

Gulf

GGC Highlights its Achievements at Riyadh Forum

GCC officials speak at the Gulf Achievements Forum in Riyadh on Monday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
GCC officials speak at the Gulf Achievements Forum in Riyadh on Monday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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GGC Highlights its Achievements at Riyadh Forum

GCC officials speak at the Gulf Achievements Forum in Riyadh on Monday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
GCC officials speak at the Gulf Achievements Forum in Riyadh on Monday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), said on Monday that during a 45-day period, GCC countries were the target of 7,000 attacks by Iran and its proxies.

Speaking at the Gulf Achievements Forum in Riyadh, he stressed that the GCC countries were no longer a merely a regional bloc united by geography and history, but they have become a global strategic power where opportunities are created and models of development, prosperity, security, and stability are built.

“The ultimate objective of holding the Gulf Achievements Forum is to enhance awareness of the achievements that were never merely temporary accomplishments or economic indicators, but rather the result of an integrated Gulf system through which the founding leaders of the GCC,” he added.

The leaders of the GCC countries, have sought over past and present decades, to transform challenges into opportunities through integration across all areas of joint Gulf action, he went on to say.

“This has directly contributed to improving the quality of life of GCC citizens, boosting their welfare and stability, and strengthening the standing of the GCC regionally and internationally,” remarked Albudaiwi.

He expressed pride in the achievements accomplished in the fields of political integration, military and security cooperation, economic integration, infrastructure, digital transformation, education, health, media, electricity interconnection, food security and other vital sectors that have helped in strengthening the competitiveness of the GCC countries and consolidating their position as an influential regional and international hub.

“One of the most distinctive features of the Gulf experience is that the GCC citizen has always been, and remains, the focus and ultimate objective of development,” he said. “These achievements have had a direct impact on their lives through freedom of movement, employment, ownership, investment, education and healthcare across the GCC countries.”

He revealed that 95% of traffic connectivity between the GCC countries has been achieved. The countries have adopted a dedicated strategy to combat money laundering, he added, noting that there is high-level coordination among the interior ministers of the GCC countries to unify the drug control strategy.

“The future of the GCC is not measured only by the scale of the achievements made, but by our ability to build upon them and transform them into sustainable gains that meet the aspirations of our peoples and future generations,” Albudaiwi told the audience.

“The next phase requires intensified joint Gulf efforts, strengthened integration across all fields, and the building of a Gulf economy capable of competing globally, thereby consolidating the position of the GCC countries as an influential global partner in shaping the economy of the future and sustainable development.”

Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs, Gulf Cooperation Council Khaled Al-Senaidi stressed that the development aspect is present in all GCC systems, including a set of regulations that have been issued and have led to achievements in the field of human rights.

Figures show that joint Gulf cooperation is progressing rapidly, including the common market and the customs union, he said.

GCC Assistant Secretary-General for military Affairs Eisa Al-Mohannadi stressed that among the most important achievements are the activation of the unified military command in the Naval Command in Bahrain, the unified air command in Riyadh, and the Peninsula Shield Force in Hafr Al-Batin.

He also underscored the joint defense agreement that says that any threat or attack on a GCC country is a tantamount to an attack on all Gulf countries.

On military industrialization, he revealed coordination and integration in this field among the GCC countries, highlighting their ambitions to establish a joint air defense system. He also announced that an early warning system to counter threats will be launched soon.

On the security level, he highlighted achievements in combating money-laundering and terror financing.

The Gulf Achievements Forum was organized by the General Secretariat of the GCC in cooperation with the Gulf Radio and Television Organization (GRTO). It was attended by a number of senior media officials from the GCC countries, specialists, and GCC students studying at universities in Saudi Arabia.