Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — Ukraine hopes to secure at least a partial ceasefire at upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia, during which US officials will meet separately with Russian and Ukrainian delegations. "We still want to agree on a ceasefire, at least on what we have proposed," a Ukrainian source said.

Talks on a United States proposal for a partial ceasefire in Ukraine are set to resume on Monday in Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian and Russian officials have confirmed.

The Ukrainian delegation in Saudi Arabia will be led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who will handle a technical discussion of issues surrounding the implementation of any truce, the source said. Monday's talks follow crucial talks held between high ranking US and Russian officials in the presence of Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and National Security Advisor Mosaad Al-Aiban, in Jeddah on March 11.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian and US officials will meet for peace talks in Saudi Arabia next Monday, after the Kremlin confirmed US-Russia talks there the same day. Speaking at a news conference in Oslo on Thursday, Zelenskyy said the structure of the meetings scheduled for Monday would see US officials meeting with Ukrainian experts and then holding separate talks with Russian representatives. “There will be a meeting of Ukraine and America and then some shuttle diplomacy, as our American colleagues said, America with Russia,” he told reporters after a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.

Russia will be represented by Grigory Karasin, a former diplomat who now chairs the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Sergei Beseda, an adviser to the director of the Federal Security Service (FSB) in the Saudi talks.

During his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, Zelenskyy held wide ranging talks with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah. In the talks, Zelenskyy expressed his thanks and appreciation of the efforts made by Saudi Arabia to resolve the Russia-Ukraine crisis. He highlighted the pivotal role being played by Saudi Arabia in promoting peace in the Middle East and the world.

Zelenskyy described his talks with the Saudi Crown Prince as constructive. "I thank Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his support for Ukraine," he said.