U.S. and Ukrainian Delegations Conclude Productive Talks in Riyadh

On March 23, 2025, meetings between the U.S. and Ukrainian delegations took place at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, concluding with a statement from Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. He characterized the talks as successful and aimed towards achieving the objective of a "just and lasting peace" for Ukraine and Europe, highlighting the importance of energy in the discussions.

Umerov, who led the Ukrainian delegation, reiterated President Volodymyr Zelensky's commitment to this peace goal. The Ukrainian team included notable figures such as State Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Oleksandr Karasevych and various deputy heads from the President's Office, indicating a strong team was present to address pivotal issues.

The Riyadh discussions came shortly after a previous meeting in Jeddah, where Ukraine accepted a U.S.-suggested ceasefire plan contingent on continued military assistance from Washington. Furthermore, the timing of these talks is significant as they occur right before scheduled discussions between U.S. and Russian delegations, who had recently arrived in Riyadh, indicating a pivotal moment in international diplomatic efforts surrounding the conflict.