Ukrainian and US delegations met in Riyadh on Sunday to discuss measures for protecting critical infrastructure and energy facilities, as part of a broader diplomatic push by US President Donald Trump to end the three-year-long war.

The high-level discussions, attended by Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, were followed by US special envoy Steve Witkoff expressing optimism about the prospects of securing a ceasefire. “I feel that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin wants peace,” Witkoff told Fox News. He suggested that Monday’s scheduled talks between the US and Russian delegations in Saudi Arabia could yield “real progress” on securing a Black Sea ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in a televised address, confirmed that his team was engaging constructively in the talks. “The conversation is quite useful, and the work of the delegations is continuing,” he said. However, he emphasised that ultimate peace depended on Moscow. “No matter what we say to our partners today, we need to get Putin to give a real order to stop the strikes.”

While the discussions were ongoing, the war showed no signs of abating. A large-scale Russian drone attack on Kyiv overnight killed at least three people, including a five-year-old child, while Ukrainian officials reported widespread damage across the capital. Meanwhile, Russian authorities claimed to have intercepted 59 Ukrainian drones targeting the country’s southwestern regions, with one person killed in Rostov.

Ceasefire hopes and concerns

The negotiations in Riyadh come days after Putin reportedly agreed to Trump’s proposal for a 30-day ceasefire targeting attacks on energy infrastructure. However, the fragile truce has already been cast into doubt, as both Kyiv and Moscow have accused each other of continued strikes.

Trump, speaking on Saturday, claimed efforts to de-escalate the war were “somewhat under control.” His administration is reportedly aiming for a broad ceasefire agreement by April 20.

White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz stated that negotiations would proceed in stages. “Once a Black Sea ceasefire is agreed, we’ll talk the line of control, which is the actual front lines,” he said, referring to possible discussions on verification mechanisms and peacekeeping arrangements.

Trump’s outreach to Putin—through at least two publicly acknowledged phone calls—has raised concerns among European allies, who fear that Washington may be shifting its approach toward Moscow. European leaders, particularly from Britain and France, are pushing to bolster military aid to Ukraine in an effort to counterbalance any concessions made in US-led peace efforts.

However, Witkoff dismissed suggestions that a potential peace deal could embolden Putin to extend his ambitions beyond Ukraine. “I just don’t see that he wants to take all of Europe. This is a much different situation than it was in World War Two,” he remarked.

Human cost of war

Even as diplomatic efforts continue, the human cost of the conflict remains severe. Apart from the deaths in Kyiv, four more people were killed in Russian attacks on the Donetsk region, Governor Vadym Filashkin confirmed. Three of the victims died in an attack on the front-line town of Dobropillya.

Zelenskiy has reiterated calls for greater Western pressure on Russia, urging allies to secure a complete cessation of hostilities rather than a temporary truce. “Whoever brought this war must take it back,” he said.