US, Ukraine Teams Hold Talks In Saudi Arabia, US Envoy Optimistic About Peace Progress With Russia

Ukrainian, US delegations met to discuss proposals to protect energy facilities and infrastructure on March 24 The meeting, held in Saudi Arabia, came ahead of talks between US, Russian delegations scheduled for March 24. US special envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about ending Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II. President Zelenskyy said Ukraine's delegation worked in a "completely constructive manner" during the talks. Zelenskyy stressed that peace would depend on getting Putin to order a halt to the ongoing strikes. Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov emphasized that the talks aimed to bring "a just peace closer and strengthen security". Ukrainian President Zelenskyy described the talks as "essentially technical" despite their significance. Putin had agreed to Trump's 30-day ceasefire proposal, halting attacks on energy infrastructure last week. A large-scale Russian drone attack on Kyiv killed at least three people, including a 5-year-old child, causing fires.