Trump’s Envoy Says Putin Not Planning to Invade ‘All of Europe’ as US and Ukraine Push for Ceasefire in Saudi Talks

High-Stakes Negotiations in Riyadh Aim to Broker Partial Truce, but Kremlin Warns of Long Road Ahead

Washington/Riyadh: A Renewed Push for Peace

In a significant diplomatic effort to bring an end to the three-year war between Russia and Ukraine, US and Ukrainian officials gathered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday to discuss a possible ceasefire. The high-stakes talks, supported by US President Donald Trump’s administration, mark a crucial moment in the ongoing conflict as both nations look for pathways to de-escalate tensions.

President Trump has expressed a strong desire for a swift resolution, and US officials are optimistic that the negotiations in Riyadh could pave the way for a breakthrough. While Washington is pushing for “real progress,” the Kremlin has cautioned that the journey to peace will be long and complex.

Despite proposals from both Ukraine and Russia for temporary ceasefires, military attacks have continued on both sides. Originally planned as a shuttle diplomacy effort—where US negotiators would move between both delegations in real time—the talks have now been structured to take place separately, with discussions between the US and Ukraine on Sunday, followed by a meeting between the US and Russia on Monday.

Hopes for Progress Amidst Skepticism

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, representing the Trump administration, expressed hope that the Riyadh talks could lead to significant progress, particularly in negotiating a ceasefire for ships operating in the Black Sea. He suggested that a maritime truce could serve as a stepping stone toward a broader peace agreement.

“I think you’re going to see in Saudi Arabia on Monday some real progress, particularly as it affects a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between both countries. And from that, you’ll naturally gravitate to a full-on shooting ceasefire,” Witkoff stated during an interview with Fox News.

However, Russian officials remained cautious. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov tempered expectations, emphasizing that the negotiations were in their early stages and that significant hurdles remained before a comprehensive peace deal could be reached.

“We are only at the beginning of this path,” Peskov said on Russian state television. “There are many questions and nuances that need to be addressed regarding how a ceasefire could be implemented.”

President Vladimir Putin had previously dismissed a joint US-Ukrainian proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire, instead suggesting a limited halt to attacks on energy facilities. This position underscores Moscow’s reluctance to agree to broader peace terms without securing certain conditions.

Trump’s Envoy: ‘Putin Not Planning to Invade All of Europe’

One of the key takeaways from Witkoff’s remarks was his assertion that President Putin does not have ambitions to invade Europe beyond Ukraine.

“I just don’t see that he wants to take all of Europe. I take him at his word in this sense, and I think the Europeans are beginning to come to that belief too,” he said.

However, Witkoff stressed that the primary goal of the US at this stage is to halt the ongoing violence and bring an end to the conflict. “That’s an academic issue…. The agenda is, stop the killing, stop the carnage. Let’s end this thing,” he added.

Peskov, meanwhile, acknowledged the complexity of the discussions but suggested that cooperation between Russia and the US on certain economic and security matters could be mutually beneficial despite their differences.

The Black Sea Deal: A Crucial Factor in Negotiations

One of the key discussion points between the US and Russia is the potential revival of the 2022 Black Sea grain deal. This agreement, originally brokered by Turkey and the United Nations, facilitated the safe transportation of Ukrainian agricultural exports through the Black Sea.

Moscow withdrew from the deal in 2023, citing the West’s failure to honor its commitments to ease sanctions on Russian agricultural exports and fertilizers. Peskov confirmed that the upcoming talks would focus on the possibility of reinstating the agreement.

“On Monday, we mainly intend to discuss President Putin’s agreement to resume the so-called Black Sea initiative, and our negotiators will be ready to discuss the nuances around this problem,” Peskov said.

Ukraine, on the other hand, is advocating for a broader ceasefire that would extend beyond maritime security to include attacks on energy infrastructure and naval strikes. However, the situation on the ground remains tense, with both sides continuing drone strikes even as negotiations proceed.

Drone Attacks Continue Amidst Peace Talks

Despite the diplomatic efforts in Riyadh, hostilities persist on both sides. Ukrainian officials reported that a Russian drone attack had killed three civilians in Kyiv, while Russia claimed to have repelled nearly 60 Ukrainian drone strikes overnight.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on allies to ramp up pressure on Moscow, emphasizing the need for concrete action.

“New decisions and new pressure on Moscow are needed to bring an end to these strikes and this war,” Zelensky posted on social media.

However, as the diplomatic dance between the US, Ukraine, and Russia continues, the likelihood of an immediate resolution remains uncertain.

Conclusion: A Long Road Ahead

While the Riyadh talks signal a step toward dialogue, deep divisions remain. With both sides holding firm to their positions and the Kremlin warning of difficult negotiations, the path to a lasting peace deal is likely to be fraught with challenges.

Nevertheless, the US remains optimistic that the discussions in Saudi Arabia could mark the beginning of a de-escalation process that might eventually lead to a comprehensive ceasefire and an end to the war.

As talks progress, the world watches closely, hoping for meaningful steps toward peace in a region that has been engulfed in conflict for far too long.