In a significant development regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, over 12 hours of closed-door negotiations took place on March 24, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between U.S. and Russian delegations. While both sides sought to find common ground to de-escalate tensions, the talks wrapped up without a ceasefire agreement or a signature on any documents, leaving the situation in Ukraine unchanged for the time being. According to reports from the Kremlin, the discussions primarily revolved around a potential truce in the Black Sea region and the ownership of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Former President Trump, who was involved in discussions regarding the negotiations, emphasized that the talks included pivotal territorial issues and highlighted the urgency for a ceasefire. He stated, “This is a war that has been going on for three years and it needs to be stopped.” Trump's involvement in the ongoing conflict manifests his ongoing interest, suggesting that an agreement on rare earth minerals with Ukraine will be finalized shortly.
However, the backdrop of these diplomatic efforts was underscored by a recent Russian missile strike on Sumy, near the Kursk border, which left 94 civilians injured, including 23 children, and resulted in severe damage to local infrastructure, including a hospital and nearby school. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, emphasizing that “Russia has voluntarily chosen war and must be forced into peace” while expressing gratitude to those aiding Ukraine during these challenging times.
After the talks concluded, Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian and U.S. delegations held separate meetings to share insights learned from their respective discussions with Russia. “Today I expect a new report on our talks with negotiators from the U.S.,” he stated on social media.
As the situation unfolds, the international community remains vigilant with China indicating its distancing from the negotiations surrounding a peacekeeping mission for Ukraine, labeling such discussions as “fake news”. Meanwhile, Secretary Lavrov of Russia is set to discuss the outcomes of the Riyadh talks in a television interview scheduled for March 25, further feeding the speculation surrounding the potential for peace in the region.
The implications of the U.S.-Russia negotiations extend beyond mere dialogues, as both parties express ongoing military engagement through escalating tensions. The discussions explored key considerations such as establishing a ceasefire in the Black Sea, which remains critical for commercial navigation and humanitarian access. The U.S. State Department spokesperson reported that a ceasefire was inherently linked to any future agreement regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
These negotiations, albeit lengthy and complex, have not yielded apparent breakthroughs, leaving uncertainty about the future. As recently noted, “from these talks, we should not expect a breakthrough; we are working in several directions,” according to Russian sources.
As pressure mounts on Russia for its continued military actions, Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal underscored the necessity for the international community to boost pressures on Moscow, advocating for sustained efforts against the backdrop of civilian casualties. “Any diplomacy with Moscow must be backed by military might, sanctions, and pressure,” he stated.
With more discussions scheduled and commitments to peace remaining tenuous, both parties face a landscape marked by ongoing hostilities and an urgent need for tangible resolutions.
