US and Russian negotiators discussed a proposed maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea as part of talks that Washington hopes will ultimately bring an end to President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
The talks, which Russian state newswire Tass said began behind closed doors in Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton hotel on Monday, follow parallel US discussions with a Ukrainian delegation on Sunday on technical issues such as how to secure the nearly 1,000km frontline in Ukraine and enforce a Washington-backed 30-day armistice.
Tammy Bruce, a US state department spokeswoman, said Monday’s talks were largely focused on implementing a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea, and expressed optimism about the broader discussions.