A significant meeting is happening in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  The US is talking to both Ukraine and Russia.  The goal is to stop the fighting in Ukraine, at least for a little while.  Then, they hope to work towards a full peace agreement.  Will these talks in Riyadh lead to a breakthrough?  It's hard to say.

The US wants a quick truce, followed by a lasting peace.  However, the Kremlin is not so eager.  They have added many conditions before they will agree to a temporary ceasefire.  Meanwhile, Ukraine is pushing for an immediate end to the attacks.  The latest strike killed three people, including a young child.

In Riyadh, the US and Ukraine are discussing how to protect important buildings and infrastructure.  They are also talking about the Black Sea shipping lanes.  Russia wants to restart a deal that lets Ukraine export grain without being attacked.  In return, they want some relief from sanctions.

Both sides have caused a lot of damage.  Russia has targeted Ukraine's power plants, trying to leave people in the cold and dark.  Ukraine, on the other hand, has successfully hit Russian oil facilities with drones.  These strikes have hurt Russia's ability to keep fighting.

The war in Ukraine is Europe's worst since World War II.  It has caused hundreds of thousands of casualties.  The US wants to end this conflict quickly.  However, it seems like there is still a long way to go before peace is achieved.  The talks in Riyadh are just the beginning.

Diplomacy in the Desert: US, Ukraine, and Russia's Peace Push

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