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Wednesday, Feb 18, 2026
Outside the box.
Ukraine and Russia to Engage in Separate Talks with the US in Riyadh
Negotiations will focus on a ceasefire and safety measures in the Black Sea region.
On March 24, 2025, Ukraine and Russia will participate in separate discussions with a United States delegation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
These meetings come amidst ongoing conflict and aim to address critical issues such as a proposed partial ceasefire and the security of navigation in the Black Sea.
Preliminary reports indicate that the status of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant will not be a focus of these discussions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced to the press, while visiting in Oslo with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, that a Ukrainian delegation is set to engage in bilateral talks with U.S. negotiators.
The agenda emphasizes technical details regarding a 30-day partial ceasefire that has been agreed upon but not yet implemented.
Both nations have not ceased reciprocal shelling, and the success of a truce hinges on defining which types of infrastructure will receive protection under the ceasefire agreement.
The Russian side has suggested limiting protections to energy infrastructure, while Ukraine seeks broader coverage to include civilian infrastructures such as ports and rail networks.
The Kremlin has confirmed the talks, with spokesperson Dmitri Peskov referencing the "Black Sea Initiative," which was discussed in a recent phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.
This initiative outlines a phased approach, proposing that a pause in maritime conflict should follow a halt in aerial assaults, serving as a precursor to a more comprehensive ceasefire that would involve land operations and initiate formal peace negotiations.
Zelensky also addressed ongoing speculation regarding the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which is currently under Russian control and has been pivotal in Ukraine's energy production.
He denied discussions with President Trump regarding a potential transfer of ownership, stating that dialogue focused instead on the management of the facility.
Additionally, Zelensky clarified that he had not raised the issue of Crimea, the strategic peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014, during his conversations with Trump.
Kyiv maintains a firm stance against any cession of territory, despite speculation that the U.S. leader might consider proposals for yielding Crimea to facilitate negotiations to end the ongoing conflict.
These meetings come amidst ongoing conflict and aim to address critical issues such as a proposed partial ceasefire and the security of navigation in the Black Sea.
Preliminary reports indicate that the status of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant will not be a focus of these discussions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced to the press, while visiting in Oslo with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, that a Ukrainian delegation is set to engage in bilateral talks with U.S. negotiators.
The agenda emphasizes technical details regarding a 30-day partial ceasefire that has been agreed upon but not yet implemented.
Both nations have not ceased reciprocal shelling, and the success of a truce hinges on defining which types of infrastructure will receive protection under the ceasefire agreement.
The Russian side has suggested limiting protections to energy infrastructure, while Ukraine seeks broader coverage to include civilian infrastructures such as ports and rail networks.
The Kremlin has confirmed the talks, with spokesperson Dmitri Peskov referencing the "Black Sea Initiative," which was discussed in a recent phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.
This initiative outlines a phased approach, proposing that a pause in maritime conflict should follow a halt in aerial assaults, serving as a precursor to a more comprehensive ceasefire that would involve land operations and initiate formal peace negotiations.
Zelensky also addressed ongoing speculation regarding the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which is currently under Russian control and has been pivotal in Ukraine's energy production.
He denied discussions with President Trump regarding a potential transfer of ownership, stating that dialogue focused instead on the management of the facility.
Additionally, Zelensky clarified that he had not raised the issue of Crimea, the strategic peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014, during his conversations with Trump.
Kyiv maintains a firm stance against any cession of territory, despite speculation that the U.S. leader might consider proposals for yielding Crimea to facilitate negotiations to end the ongoing conflict.
