Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged allies to compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the ongoing military strikes, as Ukrainian and US officials convened in Saudi Arabia to discuss a possible partial ceasefire.

In an address posted to social media on Sunday evening, Zelensky noted that any diplomatic progress depends on decisive action from the Kremlin. "No matter what we talk about with our partners, we need to push Putin to give a real order to stop the strikes: the one who brought this war must take it away," he said. 

Delegations from Ukraine and the United States were meeting in Riyadh late Sunday, with discussions centered on a potential ceasefire arrangement focused on the Black Sea. Separate talks between Russian and American officials are scheduled for Monday, according to sources familiar with the diplomatic process.

While Washington and Kiev have proposed a complete and unconditional ceasefire lasting 30 days, the Kremlin has dismissed the offer. Instead, Putin has reportedly agreed only to a limited pause in aerial attacks targeting Ukraine’s energy sector.

Read more: US, Russia reach deal on 30 day 'infrastructure ceasefire' in Ukraine

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Pre-talks military escalation

Both sides escalated their military operations in the days leading up to the talks. The week saw heavy aerial bombardments by Russian and Ukrainian forces.

"It is clear to absolutely everyone in the world that Russia is the only one who is dragging this war out," Zelensky said, criticizing Moscow’s rejection of the ceasefire proposal. "Since 11 March, there has been a proposal for an unconditional ceasefire, and such attacks would have stopped by now. But it is Russia that continues all this. And every night, every day, it delivers the most cynical strikes possible."

Zelensky concluded his remarks with a call for international action. "Without pressure on Russia, they will continue to despise real diplomacy in Moscow and continue to destroy lives," he said.

The conflict, now entering its third year, shows little sign of resolution, as diplomatic efforts remain stymied by diverging positions and ongoing violence on the ground.

Kremlin anticipates tough negotiations in Saudi Arabia over Ukraine

Earlier today, the Kremlin tempered expectations for a swift resolution to the Ukraine conflict, stating that talks were only just beginning and that "difficult negotiations" lay ahead.

"We are only at the beginning of this path," Dmitry Peskov stated on Sunday in an interview with Russian state TV, adding that there were many "questions" and "nuances" regarding the implementation of the ceasefire. Peskov emphasized that "There are difficult negotiations ahead."

"On Monday we mainly intend to discuss President Putin's agreement to resume the so-called Black Sea initiative, and our negotiators will be ready to discuss the nuances around this problem," Peskov noted, referring to the 2022 Black Sea grain deal which ensured safe navigation of Ukrainian agricultural exports through the Black Sea.