The hidden details behind the negotiations to end the war in Ukraine

U.S. and Ukraine representatives will meet later (Sunday) in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, while calls between the US and Russia are expected to take place tomorrow, in an effort to get a partial ceasefire in the war in Ukraine – while Russian Daroni attacks at least seven people in Kiev tonight.

Background to calls: attacks on all sides

Despite diplomatic progress over the past two weeks, US mediation has not stopped mutual attacks between Russia and Ukraine. In a Russian drone attack on Kiev yesterday (Saturday) in the evening, at least seven people were killed, including a five -year -old girl, in addition to the ten injured. Russia, for its part, reported that 59 Ukrainian drones have dropped during the night, and one person was killed in Rostov County as a result of Ukrainian attack.

Ukrainian President Zlanski emphasized in a post on Network X that “these attacks are a daily reality. Only this week more than 1,580 laid bombs are used, almost 1,100 MPs and 15 different types of missiles against our citizens.”

Purpose of calls – graded ceasefire and arranging the cruise

Steve Whitakoff, Trump’s special messenger, told Fox News earlier: “I think you will see a real progress in Saudi Arabia on Monday, especially when it comes to a ceasefire in the Black Sea between the two countries.

The conversations will also focus on ensuring both parties to the war and the safety of the black seawater, a topic of global economic importance. According to the Kremlin spokesman, in Putin’s telephone call and Trump last Tuesday, the two discussed the “Black Sea Initiative” – ​​a previously mediated agreement by Turkey and the United Nations and allowed a safe export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea despite the war.

As reported in Bloomberg, the White House hopes to obtain a broader ceasefire agreement until April 20, Easter both in the Western and orthodox church, but recognizes that the schedule may be rejected due to the large gaps between the parties’ positions.

Delegations: Who will conduct the contacts?

Contrary to previous peace conversations that included senior executives on all sides, the new round will focus on technical issues and will mainly include diplomats and government consultants. The identity of the participants provides important insights regarding the intentions of the parties and their seriousness in progress towards an agreement.

The Ukrainian delegation is seasoned by Defense Minister Rostam Omov, an experienced figure who was already involved in peace talks with Russia in the first months of the war. Alongside him will be Pablo Faga, a senior military advisor to Zalinsky President, with the two being part of the official peace delegation appointed by Zelansky. Ukraine President has made it clear that the delegation will also include technical experts from the fields of energy, army and civilian infrastructure, with the aim of discussing the practical details of the ceasefire, which is mainly limited to attacks on the goals of those in the last types.

On the Russian side, the delegation is seasoned by Grigori Carassin, a senior Russian diplomat and legislator with experience in sensitive conversations on Russia’s foreign policy. The surprising choice is Sergei in the Bada, a consultant to the head of the Russian federal security service.

In Basha, who previously served as the head of the FSB International Intelligence Department, is identified in Ukraine as one of the people who provided Putin incorrect intelligence information on the eve of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. According to Russian reports, he was one of the main sources of intelligence that convinced Putin that there was significant pro-Russian support in Ukraine and fast invaders could easily disassemble the government in Kiev-estimates that turned out to be tributes, leading to pain and suffering from the Ukrainian side.

Cyllo Budenov, the Ukrainian military intelligence head, defined Basda in 2023 as “very problematic man” for Ukraine who “did a lot of bad”. The appointment of Bashada for the negotiations, a person associated with the planning of the invasion of Ukraine and is especially hated in Kiev, raises questions about the seriousness of Moscow’s intentions.

Mikhail Weingrardov, head of St. Petersburg’s politics, estimated that Russia chose “technical people capable of ensuring that the conversations would not be wandered, with the aim of slowing Trump,” hinted that Moscow may see the opportunity to continue the rejection tactic, which allows her to continue the fight and increase the fighting and increase the fighting and increase the fighting and increase the fighting and increase the fight and increase the fighting. Fire as quickly as possible.

The delegation vehicle emphasizes the challenges of mediation on the gaps between the parties: While Ukraine sends a team that reflects a willingness to discuss the technical details of the ceasefire, some see the Russian side to place people who may slow down the process and set up maximum requirements, as part of a broader strategy to earn time and benefits in the battlefield.

Trump and Putin: More calls than the declaration?

In addition to the two well -known phone calls between Trump and Putin this year – on February 12 and March 18 – the Kremlin hinted that there may be additional connections between the two. When asked by a Russian state television about Trump’s comments that hinted at more than two calls, the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Paskov said: “We know you about the conversations we are aware of. But we can’t rule out everything else.”

Trump has told Washington Examiner that he has been talking to the Russian leader for weeks. Journalist Bob Woodward reported in his book “War” (2024) that since leaving the White House in 2021, Trump has been up to seven direct calls with Putin. When asked about it in an interview with Bloomberg last year, President Trump replied: “As I did it, it’s a smart thing.” The Kremlin denied written by Woodward, as Broiters reported.

Parties’ positions: Significant gaps left

Russia has placed maximum conditions for the agreement, including the cessation of weapons supply to Ukraine by the US, a position that Kiev and its allies opposed it. During the phone call with Trump, Putin said Russia would only agree to a temporary ceasefire if Ukraine stops recruiting soldiers, coaching forces or importing weapons during the respite.

Putin also demanded the cessation of military aid and foreign intelligence to Kiev, calling it “the main condition for preventing the dispute water and progress towards its solution by political and diplomatic means,” according to the Kremlin announcement. On the other hand, the White House announced that military assistance and intelligence sharing to Ukraine will continue despite the Kremlin requirements.

The Kremlin undertakes expectations for a quick solution to the conflict, when the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “We are only at the beginning of this way”, adding that negotiations with the United States will be “difficult”.

European concerns and international skepticism

European officials fear that Trump’s desire for diplomatic achievement will lead him to sacrifice Ukraine’s interests and agree to the conditions that will leave the country harming future Russian attacks. According to them, Putin attracts the procedure assuming that as time goes on, more concessions can be obtained from Trump alongside further progress in the battlefield.

The connections between Trump and Putin pushed European leaders that the United States could direct her back to Europe in hopes of obtaining a peace agreement with Russia as part of a broader deal that includes oil prices, the Middle East and competition with China. On the ceasefire as promised not to attack, do not hurt critical infrastructure. ”

Trump’s response: “relative control situation”

President Trump told US sports site yesterday that the war in Ukraine is “to some extent in control,” adding: “I have a good relationship with President Putin, and in fact, a good relationship with President Zalanski.

Trump added: “I don’t think there is someone in the world that can stop him (Putin), except me, and I think I can stop him. We had some rational discussions, and I just want to see people stop being killed. They lose 2,500 young people a week, and they are Russian and Ukrainians.” Trump, who says he wants to recall a peace loose, said he wanted to end the three -year -old conflict in Ukraine and warned of the risk of escalating a world war between the United States and Russia.

Step ahead – two back?

While the diplomatic efforts were advanced, Ukraine reported a rare military achievement in the Lugansk area in the east, with the release of the village of Nadia in a 30 -hour operation. On the other hand, the Internas news agency reported that Russian forces seized the settlement of Serena in Donetsk County in eastern Ukraine.

Efforts to get a ceasefire also encounter a wall of distrust on both sides. As New York Times reported, many of the Ukrainian and analysts are doubtful that even a limited ceasefire will last long, noting that previous ceasefires between Moscow and Kiev have been routinely violated, with each party blaming the other.

Costiantin Olisiev, a veteran diplomat and former Deputy Minister of Ukrainian Foreign Minister who participated in a ceasefire in 2014 and 2015, told the US newspaper that: “I do not believe in a ceasefire.