Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said the peace talks between his country and the United States on Sunday were “productive and focused,” as the two countries and Russia continue to work to secure a ceasefire in the war.

Ukraine's Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov will be part of the Ukrainian delegation negotiating with the US in Saudi Arabia, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a press conference with Petr Pavel,

The meeting in Saudi Arabia, which precedes talks on Monday between the U.S. and Russian delegations, came as U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about the chances for ending Europe's deadliest conflict since World War Two. "I feel that (Russian President Vladimir Putin) wants peace," Witkoff told Fox News on Sunday.