Overview

• The United States and Russia are meeting in Riyadh to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, with the U.S. also engaging Ukrainian officials in separate talks.
• Ukraine has called for an unconditional ceasefire, but Russia prioritizes resuming the Black Sea grain deal and achieving military objectives.
• Russian drone strikes over the weekend caused civilian casualties in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, including the deaths of entire families.
• Confidence-building measures, such as the return of Ukrainian children displaced to Russia and prisoner exchanges, are being discussed as part of the negotiations.
• The European Union has been excluded from these talks, highlighting its diminished role in shaping the outcome of the conflict.