Multiple casualties, including children, were reported in a recent Russian strike on Ukraine, officials announced on Monday. American and Russian negotiators convened in Saudi Arabia as part of the ongoing efforts by the White House to secure a ceasefire and establish a peace agreement to bring an end to Moscow’s three-year-long war on Ukraine. Discussions were anticipated to cover a proposed halt to strikes targeting energy infrastructure, a plan that has received tentative support from both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The American and Russian teams engaged in a 12-hour meeting behind closed doors in Riyadh, with a joint statement on the outcomes of the talks scheduled for release on Tuesday, as reported by Russian state media.
President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed optimism about progress prior to the talks, emphasizing the importance of communication in resolving conflicts. The Kremlin acknowledged the challenges ahead, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating that negotiations were at an early stage. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov highlighted discussions on ensuring Black Sea shipping safety in Saudi Arabia, suggesting that the proposal originated from Trump and received Putin’s approval.
The meeting between the US and Russia followed discussions between the American and Ukrainian delegations in Riyadh, where Zelenskyy was briefed on the productive dialogue by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. Amid the talks, the US presented a more detailed draft of a minerals agreement to the Ukrainian delegation. The new draft, developed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, offered additional specifics compared to the previous framework agreement. The Ukrainian delegation was reviewing the updated proposal, with a follow-up meeting scheduled for Monday night local time. This development followed a recent disagreement between Trump and Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, underscoring the importance of ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Without signing an anticipated minerals deal, Witkoff’s recent remarks have raised concerns in Ukraine and beyond. There are worries that the Trump administration may be aligning itself with false or misleading narratives promoted by Russia regarding its long history of interference and aggression in Ukraine.
During a discussion with conservative media figure Tucker Carlson, Witkoff commented on the Ukrainian territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea, claiming that the majority of people in these regions have shown a desire to be under Russian rule in referendums. However, Witkoff failed to mention that these referendums, held in 2014 and 2022, were widely discredited as fraudulent by Western countries, human rights groups, and international organizations.
Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken had previously stated that the U.S. rejects the Kremlin’s claims over seized parts of Ukraine. Witkoff also highlighted the purported friendly relationship between Trump and Putin, mentioning that Putin had prayed for Trump after an assassination attempt and gifted Witkoff a portrait of Trump.
These statements have heightened concerns in Ukraine about the Trump administration’s stance on the ongoing peace process. Ukrainian parliament member Oleksandr Merezhko criticized Witkoff’s comments, questioning whether he was representing American interests or those of Putin.
Merezhko suggested that Witkoff may have fallen for Russian propaganda or sought Putin’s backing for Trump’s ceasefire proposal. He called on Trump to distance himself from Witkoff’s “dangerous statements.”
Meanwhile, cross-border drone attacks persisted, with both Ukraine and Russia reporting drone incidents causing damage in various regions. A Russian missile strike on Sumy resulted in numerous injuries, including children, and substantial property damage.
As tensions continue and conflicting narratives persist, the situation remains volatile with no clear resolution in sight.
Sybiha expressed in a post on X that, “Just hours ago, a devastating Russian attack on Sumy’s city center caused numerous injuries to civilians, including many children. Rather than issuing empty words about peace, Russia should cease the bombing of our cities and put an end to its assault on innocent civilians.” This report includes contributions from ABC News’ Yuriy Zaliznyak, Victoria Beaule, Anna Sergeeva, and Guy Davies. Reports indicate multiple casualties, including children, in the strike on Ukraine as discussions between the US and Russia were reinstated.
