Overview

• U.S. and Russian officials are meeting in Riyadh to negotiate a partial ceasefire in Ukraine, following separate discussions between the U.S. and Ukrainian delegations.
• The proposed ceasefire includes a 30-day pause on attacks targeting energy infrastructure, but discrepancies remain over its scope and implementation.
• Talks also aim to establish a Black Sea maritime ceasefire to facilitate safe shipping and potentially resume the 2022 grain export deal, previously suspended by Russia.
• Despite agreements in principle, both Ukraine and Russia continue cross-border attacks, with recent Russian drone strikes killing civilians in Kyiv and Ukrainian drones targeting Russia.
• European allies express concern over the U.S.'s bilateral approach, fearing it may undermine multilateral frameworks and embolden Russia in future conflicts.