Russia says no deal yet in latest Ukraine war talks

Russian officials said Tuesday there is no deal yet in U.S.-brokered talks to end the war in Ukraine, two days into the latest round of shuttle diplomacy in Saudi Arabia.

Negotiations are reportedly focused on two limited ceasefire agreements. One would halt attacks on energy infrastructure by both sides, and the other would restore the safety of shipping lanes in the Black Sea.

Russia rejected a U.S. proposal, backed by Ukraine, for a broader 30-day ceasefire.

U.S. officials have held a series of meetings with Russian and Ukrainian negotiators that Russia says likely will lead to more conversation down the line, The Associated Press reported.

Russian Federation Council’s Defense and Security Committee Chair Vladimir Chizhov told Russian state media that the ceasefire deal was not yet adopted “because of Ukraine’s position,” CNN reported.

“The fact that they sat for 12 hours and seemed to agree on a joint statement, which however was not adopted due to Ukraine’s position, is also very characteristic and symptomatic,” Chizhov told Russia-24.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters Russia is still analyzing the results of the second round of talks between Russian and U.S. officials. The details of the talks would “certainly” not be made public, Peskov said.

Peskov said dialogue between Russia and U.S. would continue. Russia and Ukraine have not met for direct talks.

It was later reported by Russian state media TASS that Russia is in favor of restarting talks about the Black Sea Initiative, a 2022 deal that allowed Ukraine to ship through the critical waterway for Ukraine’s exports.

Russian President Vladimir Putin last week rejected a 30-day ceasefire proposed by President Trump, but he signaled his willingness to consider a more limited agreement, if certain conditions are met.

It was later announced by the White House that the U.S. and Ukraine had agreed to “eliminate the use of force” in the Black Sea. The agreement will “ensure safe navigation” and “prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes” in the area. 

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said Sunday a meeting with Trump envoy Keith Kellogg was “productive and focused.”

Serhii Leshchenko, an adviser for Zelensky, said Ukraine is “ready to support initiatives that will make diplomacy a means of pressure” to have Russia end the war.

CBS News reported the U.S. and Russia were expected to release a joint statement Tuesday morning about the discussions.

The White House said it will continue facilitating negotiations between both sides in line with agreements made in Saudi Arabia over the last few days.

This story was updated at 11:59 a.m.