On Monday, delegations from Ukraine and Russia are scheduled to arrive in Riyadh for separate discussions with US officials, amid ongoing hostilities and varying reports regarding the potential for a ceasefire.

The Ukrainian delegation, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, plans to present a list of energy infrastructure deemed critical and off-limits for strikes by the Russian military.

Zelenskyy indicated that these talks would take place concurrently with a meeting between US representatives and a Russian negotiating team, which includes Sergei Beseda, a former chief of the FSB who played a crucial role in the strategy leading up to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The talks in Riyadh are aimed at finalizing a limited ceasefire agreement that was discussed earlier this week and potentially negotiating a maritime ceasefire.

Beseda, who previously oversaw intelligence operations related to Ukraine, will be joined by Grigory Karasin, the head of the Russian Senate's international affairs committee.

Before the current escalation, Beseda had reportedly lost favor with President Vladimir Putin due to early miscalculations regarding the invasion.

Zelenskyy has expressed concerns regarding what he perceives as Russia's excessive demands, which he claims may prolong the conflict.

He has stated that Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure are ongoing, contradicting assertions from Moscow about a willingness to halt such actions.

In contrast, Russia insisted that serious peace negotiations hinge upon the complete cessation of foreign military aid and intelligence to Ukraine.

The tensions have been exacerbated by conflicting narratives from both sides regarding discussions of military aid and ceasefire conditions.

Recently, Trump has claimed that the US ownership of Ukrainian power plants could offer greater protection, a statement that Zelenskyy refuted, indicating that the issue had not been discussed.

In the lead-up to the Riyadh meetings, military activity on both sides intensified.

Reports indicate that Ukrainian forces have launched a drone attack against a Russian airbase located approximately 700 kilometers from the frontline, targeting facilities linked to strategic bombers involved in operations against Ukraine.

This attack has been described as one of the most significant mass UAV assaults registered by Russian officials, resulting in injuries, property damage, and an evacuation of nearby residents.

Simultaneously, the conflict has seen continued drone strikes from Russian forces, including a notable assault that resulted in civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure in Ukraine.

Following an attack by nearly 200 Iranian-made Shahed drones, President Zelenskyy reported injuries to at least ten individuals, including children, further illustrating the toll of ongoing military confrontations despite diplomatic efforts.

Both sides continue to navigate complex negotiations against a backdrop of heightened military engagements, uncertainty surrounding the terms and timing of ceasefire agreements, and contrasting representations of the discussions taking place in Riyadh.