US & Russia Discuss Demarcation Lines, Power Plant Control In Ceasefire Talks

US and Russia hold talks on the 30-day ceasefire which continues to remain a struggle as both sides continue to attack each other.

Russia rejected Trump’s proposal for a full 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine last week.

Source : X

US envoys had talks with Russia on Monday, following separate talks with a team from Kyiv, focusing on a proposed partial ceasefire in Ukraine's three-year war. Despite the talks, reaching a limited 30-day ceasefire to which Moscow and Kyiv agreed in principle last week, remains a struggle as both sides continue drone and missile attacks.

On Monday, a Russian missile hit a densely populated district of Ukraine's northeastern city of Sumy, wounding 88 people, including 17 children.

According to Reuters, the talks, which included efforts to secure a Black Sea maritime ceasefire, were framed by Washington as part of President Donald Trump's push to end the war. The report cited a White House official who stated that progress was being made in the Riyadh talks and that a "positive announcement" was expected "in the near future."

On a similar note, the Russian delegation said their mood was good after the talks. The talks concluded late on Monday, with a draft joint statement sent to Moscow and Washington for approval. The parties aim to release it on Tuesday.

While speaking about the other issues on the table, Trump said, that they were “talking about territory” and “lines of demarcation, talking about power, power plant ownership.”

US Control Over Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

Last week, Russia rejected Trump’s proposal for a full 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, agreeing only to a temporary halt on attacks targeting energy infrastructure. Trump also suggested the idea of the US taking control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which has faced worsening conditions since coming under Russian control. Although its reactors have been shut down for years, the plant still requires power and staffing to maintain its cooling systems and safety features. Currently, the facility remains connected to Ukraine’s energy grid without generating electricity.

The White House stated that the primary goal of the Saudi talks is to establish a maritime truce in the Black Sea to ensure the free flow of shipping.

However, maritime battles have played a relatively minor role in the conflict since 2023, following Ukrainian attacks that forced Moscow to reposition its navy far from contested waters. This allowed Ukraine to reopen its ports and resume exports.

Putin's Demands

Trump expressed broad satisfaction about the way talks have been going and has been complimentary about Russian President Vladimir Putin's engagement.

However, major European powers doubt whether Putin is ready to make real concessions or will stick to what they see as his maximalist demands, which do not appear to have changed since he sent troops into Ukraine in 2022, according to Reuters

Putin says he is ready to discuss peace but demands Ukraine to officially drop its NATO ambitions and withdraw its troops from the entirety of four Ukrainian regions that Russia has unilaterally annexed.