The US administration has high hopes for the upcoming talks with Russia, which will take place on March 24, 2025, in Saudi Arabia. US Special Presidential Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff said on Sunday that Washington expects tangible progress in resolving the conflict in Ukraine, especially in stopping attacks on ships in the Black Sea. According to him, success in this area could become the foundation for a complete ceasefire, which is designated as a strategic goal of American diplomacy. Witkoff emphasized that reaching agreements on the Black Sea could lay the foundation for a broader peace process, which the Donald Trump administration considers a priority of its foreign policy.

The special envoy's statement came on the eve of a meeting in Riyadh, where the American delegation will be led by key figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. The Russian side will be represented by Senator Grigory Karasin and FSB Director's Advisor Sergei Beseda. The main focus, as Witkoff noted, will be on reducing tensions in the Black Sea, a region that remains a high-risk area due to ongoing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine. The American side hopes that agreements to stop attacks on ships could be the first step toward a larger truce, although specific terms and conditions are still being discussed.

The Saudi talks are seen as a continuation of efforts by Trump, who has repeatedly stressed the need to end the conflict since returning to the White House in January 2025. Witkoff expressed confidence that progress on this issue would not only reduce the humanitarian losses but also pave the way for the restoration of economic ties in the region, including the resumption of the Black Sea grain export initiative, which ended in July 2023.