Ukraine says talks with US on war with Russia ‘productive’

US AND Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia wrapped up “productive and focused” talks on Sunday night on de-escalating the war with Russia, whose delegation was set to hold its own separate discussions with the Americans yesterday.

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US President Donald Trump is pushing for a rapid end to the three-year war and hopes the talks in Riyadh can pave the way to a breakthrough, but the Kremlin has warned of “difficult negotiations” ahead.

Despite both warring sides proposing different plans for temporary cease-fires, attacks have continued unabated.

Originally scheduled to take place simultaneously to enable shuttle diplomacy - with the US going back and forth between the delegations - the technical-level talks on a partial truce are now taking place separately, one after the other.

The meeting between the Ukrainian team, led by defence minister Rustem Umerov, and the Americans finished up late on Sunday night, Umerov said.

“The discussion was productive and focused - we addressed key points including energy,’ he said on social media, adding Ukraine was working to make its goal of a “just and lasting peace” a reality.

In an evening address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that “Russia is the only one who is dragging this war out”.