U.S. Holds Black Sea Ceasefire Talks With Russia

What Happened?

U.S. officials met with Russian representatives just one day after holding separate talks with Kyiv to end the three-year-old war in Ukraine.

Key talks were held Monday in the Saudi capital of Riyadh to discuss a potential maritime ceasefire to ensure the safety of commercial shipping.

Russia has reportedly moved its Black Sea fleet away from Sevastopol while continuing strikes on Ukrainian ports that remain vital for exports.

'A great many different aspects [of a ceasefire] are still to be worked through,' Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Despite Moscow and Ukrainian officials agreeing in principle to a 30-day ceasefire, it's been a struggle with both sides continuing aerial attacks.

A major negotiating hurdle is reportedly what targets would be off-limits to these attacks.

The Kremlin declared that the agreement that covered 'energy and infrastructure' had referred to 'energy infrastructure,' according to The Associated Press.

Zelenskyy told reporters he would also like to see infrastructure like railways and ports protected in these efforts.

Trump stated last week after a phone call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the U.S. was 'very much on track' with both Russia and Ukraine.

Why it Matters

Russia and Ukraine exchanged a series of air attacks recently that damaged each other's infrastructure just hours after President Vladimir Putin's call with Trump.

Trump spoke with Putin to discuss negotiations surrounding a 30-day truce that Ukraine agreed to.

Putin agreed that a narrower pause on Russia attacking Ukrainian energy sites would go into effect while revisiting broader negotiations.

About 80% of Ukraine's energy infrastructure has reportedly been destroyed by Russian bombs.

Kyiv, in return, has attacked oil and gas facilities deep into Russian territory.

The Kremlin reportedly believes that a full ceasefire would only work if Ukraine's allies stopped giving military assistance.

It's a measure that Ukraine's European allies have previously rejected.

The Trump administration believes that 'dividing up certain assets,' including land and power plants, would be a proposition that leads to a successful truce agreement.

How it Affects You

Putin emphasized while key terms are being worked out, these beginning moves should lead to lasting peace efforts.

The possibility of sanctions still looms for Russia should Trump not make forward progress with Putin that results in an agreement.

Moscow seeks 'ironclad' guarantees in any peace deal that NATO nations exclude Kyiv from membership.

It's a goal Ukraine has sought, but newly expressed a 'long-term peaceful settlement' is the mission overall.

The Trump administration is pushing for progress toward facilitating an official deal by both parties to prevent more casualties.