Russia Claims New Territorial Gains Ahead of Saudi Peace Talks
Moscow announced the capture of territory in Ukraine’s Sumy region and Russia’s Kursk region just as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his commitment to constructive dialogue with U.S. representatives ahead of peace talks in Saudi Arabia. The talks aim to discuss ending Russia’s war on Ukraine.
U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators are set to meet in Jeddah, a Red Sea city, on Tuesday. The Trump administration is pushing for a ceasefire and a "framework" for a peace agreement. Despite the upcoming discussions, Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed its forces had "liberated" the village of Novenke in Sumy, near the border with Kursk. Moscow also announced the recapture of several villages in Kursk, including Lebedevka, Malaya Loknya, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, and Kositsa.
While Russia briefly occupied parts of Ukraine’s Sumy region at the start of its full-scale invasion in 2022, it has not taken additional territory there since. Analysts suggest that capturing Novenke could bring Russian troops closer to blocking a major Ukrainian supply route. Kyiv has yet to comment on Russia’s claims.
In his evening address on Sunday, Zelenskyy praised Ukraine’s military units, stating, “I want to thank all our units who are steadfastly and against all odds destroying the occupier, repelling attacks and defending our positions. Diplomacy will be strong only on strong front-line positions. And we are doing our best to ensure that Ukraine’s front-line needs are met.”
Who’s Meeting Who?
The U.S. recently cut off Ukraine’s access to intelligence sharing, satellite data, and military aid after a public dispute between the White House and Zelenskyy. This move is seen as an effort to pressure Kyiv into negotiations to end Russia’s invasion, the largest conflict in Europe since World War II. Zelenskyy drew Trump’s ire for rejecting a mineral deal that he believed should include a U.S. security guarantee. The Trump administration declined to commit to this, instead urging Europe to increase aid for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, European leaders have pledged support for Ukraine against Russian threats, agreeing to boost defence spending. The U.S. has also discouraged Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO.
Zelenskyy confirmed he will visit Saudi Arabia next week, meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday. Ukrainian diplomatic and military representatives will then stay for talks with U.S. officials on Tuesday. “Ukraine has been seeking peace from the very first second of this war. Realistic proposals are on the table. The key is to move quickly and effectively,” Zelenskyy said on X (formerly Twitter).
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed he will meet Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia to discuss an “initial ceasefire” and a “framework” for a broader agreement. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will also visit Saudi Arabia from March 10 to 12 to meet Ukrainian counterparts and strengthen U.S.-Saudi ties. Rubio spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Friday, emphasizing Trump’s desire to end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible.
This will mark the first high-level meeting between U.S. and Ukrainian officials since the February 28 encounter between Zelenskyy and Trump at the White House, which escalated into a shouting match and ended with Zelenskyy being asked to leave.
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