U.S.-Russia Ceasefire Talks Scheduled for March 23 in Jeddah
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff announced ceasefire talks set for March 23 in Jeddah, focusing on energy, infrastructure, and Black Sea firing moratoriums. U.S. leadership claims progress in meetings with Russia and Putin’s agreement on a 30-day halt of strikes. Key discussions will continue regarding terms of agreement and Ukraine’s role.
On March 18, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff announced that ceasefire discussions between the U.S. and Russia will occur on March 23 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. These talks, led by U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aim to clarify details about a ceasefire, though Witkoff did not disclose the Russian representatives and Ukraine’s potential involvement remains unclear.
Witkoff emphasized the recent consensus on two crucial aspects: a ceasefire regarding energy and infrastructure and a moratorium on firing in the Black Sea. He expressed hope for a complete ceasefire, stating, “up until recently, we really didn’t have consensus around these two aspects… and today we got to that place.” He believes that the Russians have agreed to these terms and remains optimistic that the Ukrainians will as well.
In his comments, Witkoff also referenced his productive meeting with President Putin. He noted that they made significant progress during a lengthy discussion that lasted at least three hours, narrowing the gap between Ukraine and Russia’s positions compared to earlier in the administration.
On the same day, it was reported that Putin agreed to suspend strikes on energy infrastructure for 30 days during a call with former President Trump, in which they discussed a new ceasefire to facilitate peace negotiations. Witkoff commended Trump for his influence in driving this discussion, stating, “I would commend President Putin for all he did today on that call to move his country close to a final peace deal.”
The Kremlin’s statement highlighted that Putin reacted positively to Trump’s proposal for a temporary halting of attacks on energy facilities and is open to negotiations regarding safety in the Black Sea. Specific details of the agreement are set to be further discussed in upcoming talks.
The upcoming U.S.-Russia ceasefire talks in Jeddah represent a critical step toward resolving conflicts in Ukraine. With recent agreements on key ceasefire aspects and positive dialogues between both leaders, the potential for a lasting peace remains promising. Continued diplomatic efforts will be essential in navigating the complexities of these discussions.
Original Source: kyivindependent.com
