A US delegation, led by diplomat Steve Witkoff, has begun crucial negotiations with Russian officials in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, aiming to push for a ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The meeting follows positive discussions between US envoy Keith Kellogg and Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, which were deemed “productive.”

The talks, however, come amid significant challenges, with a gap in expectations between Russia, Ukraine, and the US. Over the weekend, Russian drone strikes killed at least six people in Ukraine, exacerbating tensions. Moscow has accused Ukraine of attacks on oil and gas facilities, despite offering a pause in attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

The Russian team in Riyadh includes prominent diplomats like Grigory Karasin and Sergey Beseda, a former spy chief known for supporting Russia’s 2022 invasion. Meanwhile, Witkoff’s previous comments, where he appeared sympathetic to Russia’s territorial ambitions in Ukraine, have raised concerns, especially after Russia’s controversial referendums in 2022.

While Moscow demands Ukraine’s non-NATO status and assurances on territorial control, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has placed responsibility for ending the war on Russian President Vladimir Putin.