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.
