Ukraine hopes for 'partial ceasefire' at Saudi talks

Ukraine hopes to secure at least a partial ceasefire at upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia, during which U.S. officials will meet separately with Russian and Ukrainian delegations.

"We still want to agree on a ceasefire, at least on what we have proposed," a Ukrainian source told AFP, referring to calls for a halt to strikes on energy sites, civilian infrastructure and attacks in the Black Sea.

Momentum has been building in recent weeks towards a ceasefire, with the U.S. pressing both sides to agree on a deal.

"Russia has paid a heavy price in the ongoing conflict, while Ukraine continues to suffer daily troop losses. Both sides have reached a point where seeking peace and reconciliation has become necessary," Zhao Junjie, a researcher at the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told CGTN.

He added that with the new U.S. administration shifting its stance on the conflict, if Washington pushes to end it, both Russia and Ukraine will likely have to go along with it.

Currently, both Russia and Ukraine say they support a 30-day pause in strikes on energy infrastructure – a pause that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered on Tuesday, but which Kyiv says Moscow has already broken.

Both sides have confirmed they will discuss a partial ceasefire with U.S. officials separately on Monday in Saudi Arabia.

Trump says 'dividing up lands' within negotiations

The Ukrainian delegation in Saudi Arabia will be led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who will handle a "technical discussion" of issues surrounding the implementation of any truce. These issues include "what facilities" strikes would be limited against and "how to oversee the ceasefire."

Zelenskyy said on Thursday that although he had originally sought a broader ceasefire, he was committed to working with the U.S. to prevent arms from being directed at power production and civilian facilities.

The previous day, he had signaled that he intended to include not only energy targets but also rail and port infrastructure in a list of facilities he would want to see included in the partial ceasefire.

He also stated that he would not discuss potential U.S. ownership of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with Trump, after U.S. officials suggested Washington could take over.

Russia will be represented by Grigory Karasin, a former diplomat who now chairs the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Sergei Beseda, an adviser to the director of the Federal Security Service (FSB).

Days ahead of the separate U.S. talks with Russia and Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that as part of the negotiations to end the conflict, the parties would reach an agreement on territorial division.

But experts warn that territorial demands and ownership of nuclear power plants would spark intense disputes among Russia, Ukraine and the U.S., as any territorial concession from Ukraine would likely trigger a backlash from the public and media.

"Negotiating land division remains one of the most challenging aspects of the talks," Zhao said. "Whoever holds the advantage will gain certain benefits, potentially receiving compensation or even territorial concessions. It's a zero-sum game."

Europe's peacekeeping talks

In London, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted a meeting of Western military officials on Thursday. Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron stated that they are willing to deploy peacekeepers in Ukraine following any full ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv – an idea Russia has rejected.

Macron also said he would open a discussion on extending France's nuclear umbrella to the entire European Union.

Russia, in turn, accused Europe of turning into a "war party" and said Europe's statements "reflect the anti-Russian sentiment that reigns in Europe today."

As the U.S. shifts its stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, several of Europe's biggest military powers are also drawing up plans to take on greater responsibility for the continent's defense, amid concerns about the future of NATO and potential disengagement by the U.S.

These discussions include a proposal for a gradual transfer of military duties from the U.S. to European capitals over the next five to 10 years. The proposal would emphasize increased European defense spending and the expansion of military capabilities to reduce reliance on the United States. 

(With input from agencies)