Talks to try to secure a more permanent ceasefire in Ukraine continue in Saudi Arabia later.

Technical teams - but not top officials - from Washington will meet those from Kyiv, then Moscow.

Russia has already agreed a pause in attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, but it's hoped they'll also stop targeting civilian areas.

US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce was optimistic about the last round of talks last week...

To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Newmarket-on-Fergus native and Professor of Politics at Dublin City University, Donnacha Ó Beacháin.

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