The Black Sea was the focus of the first technical negotiations Russia and the USA in Riyadh. The discussion was creative and probably concerned the fate of Odessa, the observer claims Pravda.Ru Lyubov Stepushova.

The US has been praised by some for its separate agreements with Russia and Ukraine, aimed at ensuring safe navigation in the Black sea and imposing a ban on energy infrastructure. However in Ukraine the announcement has failed to bring much new hope. Residents in both Odessa and Kyiv remain sceptical, as August Hakansson reports.

The U.S.-mediated talks will focus on a proposed maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, with the two sides still far apart on the terms of a final peace.

Russia attacked Ukraine's port city of Odessa overnight, triggering fires as several infrastructure targets were hit as well as a high-rise residential building and shopping center.