U.S. and Ukraine hold talks ahead of U.S.-Russia talks, as Russian drone attacks continue

Over in Riyadh.

Officials from Washington are to hold talks with delegates from Kyiv and Moscow for the U.S.-mediated partial ceasefire.

Talks between Ukraine and the U.S. took place earlier than expected.

Meantime, Russia and Ukraine continued to exchange attacks.

Cha Yun-kyung has the latest.

A day before the U.S. plans to hold separate meetings with Ukrainian and Russian delegates on Monday, Washington's technical team held talks with Ukrainian officials on Sunday in Riyadh.

As part of Washington's shuttle diplomacy in Saudi Arabia, U.S. and Ukrainian officials were set to hold talks on Monday, followed by a separate meeting between U.S. and Russian delegates on the same day.

However, it was confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Washington and Kyiv would hold the talks a day earlier.

Following Sunday's meeting, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said talks with U.S. officials were "productive and focused," adding that the two sides addressed key points including energy.

U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff expressed confidence that progress would be made with Russia and Ukraine.

Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, Witkoff said he expects Ukraine and Russia to make progress on a ceasefire in the Black Sea after holding talks on Monday, which will "naturally gravitate to a full-on shooting ceasefire."

However, the Kremlin, downplayed expectations of a rapid resolution on Sunday, saying talks were just beginning. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview that there are difficult negotiations ahead.

U.S. and Russian officials began talks in Saudi Arabia on Monday to make progress towards a broad ceasefire in Ukraine, especially for a Black Sea maritime ceasefire deal.

On the other hand, Russia continued attacks on Ukraine overnight with Ukraine saying Russia launched 99 attack drones, killing at least three people including a 5-year-old child.

Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.