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)
TT

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.



UAE Says it Thwarts Illegal Attempt to Transfer Ammunition to Sudan's Army

People walk around a bus stop in the capital Khartoum's southern neighbourhood of al-Kalakla on April 29, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
People walk around a bus stop in the capital Khartoum's southern neighbourhood of al-Kalakla on April 29, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
TT

UAE Says it Thwarts Illegal Attempt to Transfer Ammunition to Sudan's Army

People walk around a bus stop in the capital Khartoum's southern neighbourhood of al-Kalakla on April 29, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
People walk around a bus stop in the capital Khartoum's southern neighbourhood of al-Kalakla on April 29, 2025. (Photo by AFP)

UAE state media reported on Wednesday that security services had thwarted an attempt by Sudanese military leaders and others to illegally transfer ammunition to Sudan's army.

The report by the WAM news agency said authorities had found about five million rounds of ammunition on a private plane at an airport and had made a number of arrests.
The WAM report said the plan to supply weapons had involved a group which included Sudan's former intelligence chief, Salah Gosh.

"The defendants were arrested during an inspection of ammunition in a private aircraft at one of the country’s airports," a statement by WAM said.

"The plane was carrying approximately five million rounds of 7.54 x 62 mm Goryunov-type ammunition," it added.