Riyadh, Mar 24 (UNI) A US technical team met with a Ukrainian delegation of officials and experts in Riyadh on Sunday, a day before the Saudi capital hosts talks between US delegates and Russian negotiators, a Sputnik correspondent reported.
The former chief of the Ukrainian armed forces' general staff and current defense ministry inspector general, Anatoliy Barhylevych, took part in the negotiations with the US.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said the agenda included proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure.
On March 15, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy approved the setup of Kiev's delegation "to interact with international partners" in the context of peace talks, but did not specify what kind of negotiations and with what counterparts. The delegation includes Zelenskyy's chief of staff Andriy Yermak, his deputy Pavlo Palisa, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
On March 16, Zelenskyy appointed Maj. Gen. Andrii Hnatov as the new chief of the general staff of Ukraine's armed forces, replacing Lt. Gen. Barhylevych, who had held the position since February 2024 and was transferred to the post of the inspector general at the defense ministry.
UNI SPUTNIK GNK