Dramatic breakthrough out of reach

The recent talks between US and Russian delegations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, offer a glimmer of hope that progress is being made toward at least a limited ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

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With the two sides remaining far apart on key issues, the mere fact that talks took place, with the US, Russian and Ukrainian delegations together at the same venue, signals a potential shift from battlefield escalation to diplomatic engagement, a welcome development and one that aligns with China's consistent advocacy for dialogue aimed at a permanent political settlement of the conflict.

The discussions, which lasted 12 hours, focused primarily on securing a temporary halt to attacks on Black Sea shipping and reviving the defunct Black Sea Grain Initiative – a critical agreement that facilitated Ukraine's agricultural exports and stabilized global food prices.