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State Department stresses push for full ceasefire in talks in Saudi Arabia after Sumy-region attack
Summary
The State Department reiterated that negotiators are focused on securing a full ceasefire for Ukraine, including talks in Saudi Arabia that could broaden a truce to the Black Sea, after reporters asked about recent attacks in Sumy that injured more than 90 people.
At a State Department briefing, the spokesperson reiterated that U.S. diplomatic efforts are centered on securing a full ceasefire in Ukraine, and said technical negotiations in Saudi Arabia aim to broaden the truce to include the Black Sea and restore commercial activity.
When asked specifically about an attack in Ukraine’s Sumy region that targeted residential buildings and a hospital, the spokesperson said the department ‘‘decries the impact’’ on civilians and framed the Saudi talks as the path to stopping such attacks. The briefing referenced that President Volodymyr Zelensky had agreed to a partial ceasefire against energy infrastructure and expressed willingness to adopt a full ceasefire; the spokesperson said negotiators expect compromises from both sides.
The department declined to comment at the briefing on hypothetical territorial outcomes that might follow a ceasefire, saying details about post-ceasefire arrangements are being negotiated and would be addressed after a full ceasefire is in place.
