Overview

• Officials from the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia are set to meet in Saudi Arabia on March 24 to discuss a potential ceasefire targeting energy infrastructure attacks.
• Steve Witkoff, the U.S. emissary, recently met with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, describing the Russian leader as sincere and not a 'bad guy.'
• Witkoff relayed Putin's story of praying for Donald Trump after a 2024 assassination attempt and delivered a portrait of Trump gifted by Putin.
• The U.S. envoy highlighted the challenges faced by Ukrainian President Zelensky, suggesting it is an opportune moment for him to negotiate a deal.
• Putin remains under an ICC arrest warrant issued in 2023 for alleged war crimes related to the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.