US Holds Separate Talks With Russians After Meeting Ukrainians To Discuss A Potential Ceasefire

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – MARCH 11: (L-R) U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and National Security Advisor Mosaad bin Mohammad al-Aiban, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Ukrainian Head of Presidential Office Andriy Yermak and Ukrainian Minister of Defense Rustem Umerovto attend a meeting between the US and Ukraine hosted by the Saudis on March 11, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. An American delegation led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Jeddah to attend a high-stakes meeting with Ukrainian officials, in efforts to lay the groundwork for peace negations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. The talks come after Zelensky met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday, and in the wake of a recent rift in US-Ukraine relations. (Photo by Salah Malkawi/Getty Images)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. negotiators are working with Russian representatives on a proposed partial ceasefire in Ukraine. Monday’s meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, came a day after the U.S. held separate talks with the Ukrainian team. Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of undermining efforts to reach a pause in the 3-year-old war. Both countries agreed in principle Wednesday to a limited ceasefire after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with their leaders. A major sticking point is what targets would be off-limits to strike. While the White House said “energy and infrastructure” would be covered, the Kremlin declared the agreement referred more narrowly to “energy infrastructure.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he wants to see railways and ports protected.