Russia has now officially responded to the recent peace discussions between the United States and Ukraine, adding yet another layer of uncertainty to an already complex and fragile situation. The war, which has been ongoing since February 2022, has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions. Despite multiple international efforts to mediate a ceasefire, a lasting peace agreement remains elusive. However, with the U.S. ramping up diplomatic efforts, including hosting a major round of negotiations in Saudi Arabia, pressure is mounting on Russia to engage in meaningful discussions,

The latest round of negotiations, which took place earlier this week, reportedly lasted for eight hours and marked a stark contrast to the heated and, at times, unproductive meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House last month. While the latter event was marred by tense exchanges, including Trump and Vice President JD Vance demanding that Zelenskyy publicly thank the U.S. for its past support, the talks in Saudi Arabia appeared far more constructive. Following the discussions, the U.S. and Ukraine released a joint statement outlining their aim of securing a 30-day ceasefire with Russia. The Biden administration had long advocated for continued military support for Ukraine, but Trump’s approach has been more unpredictable, leading to speculation about whether his administration would take a softer stance on Moscow. However, Trump has made it clear that he is willing to take serious measures if Russia refuses to cooperate.