US-Ukraine Meet a Day Early… Discuss Energy and Infrastructure Protection in Saudi Arabia

US-Russia Meeting Scheduled for 24th

Special Envoy Witkoff Optimistic "Putin Wants Peace"

The United States and Ukraine met a day before the expert-level meeting between the United States and Russia aimed at a ceasefire in the Ukraine war.

According to foreign media such as Reuters on the 23rd (local time), high-level delegations from the United States and Ukraine began talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that afternoon. Initially, the US-Ukraine meeting was scheduled to take place on the 24th at the same location as the US-Russia meeting, but the US-Ukraine meeting started a day earlier. The US and Russia will meet as scheduled on the 24th.

Representing Ukraine was Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. He stated on social media, "We have started talks with the US team in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia," and "The agenda includes restrictions to protect energy facilities and key infrastructure." He continued, "We are discussing various complex technical issues, and our delegation includes energy experts and military personnel from the navy and air force."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also said, "Our delegation is approaching the talks with a very constructive attitude, and the dialogue is proceeding beneficially." He emphasized, "No matter what we say today, ultimately, Putin must directly order a halt to the attacks."

On the 18th, US President Donald Trump agreed with Russian President Vladimir Putin over a phone call to suspend each other's energy infrastructure facilities for 30 days. The next day, on the 19th, he obtained agreement on a partial ceasefire from President Zelensky.

However, the agreement seems to be shaky from the start. Both sides reported that infrastructure attacks continued, and there was a difference in interpretation between the US and Russia regarding the scope of restraint. The US interpreted it as 'energy and infrastructure facilities,' while Russia interpreted it as 'energy infrastructure' facilities. On the same day, Russia attacked apartments and shopping centers in Kyiv, Ukraine, with drones ahead of the US-Ukraine meeting. At least three people, including a 5-year-old child, were killed, and more than 10 were injured.

Nevertheless, the US remains optimistic about the ceasefire agreement in the Russia-Ukraine war. They foresee that the partial ceasefire could lead to a complete cessation of hostilities. Steve Witkoff, the US President's special envoy, said in an interview with Fox News, "I think President Putin wants peace," and "There will be substantial progress regarding a ceasefire for ship movements in the Black Sea at the Saudi Arabia meeting on Monday (24th), and it will naturally lead to a complete halt of attacks afterward."

Reporter Han Gyeong-je