U.S.-Russia Talks Scheduled for Monday in Saudi Arabia, Kremlin Aide Confirms
U.S.-Russia negotiations on the Ukraine war will continue in Saudi Arabia, led by seasoned delegates from both sides. The focus will be on maritime safety in the Black Sea, amidst recent agreements for a ceasefire following a pause in military actions.
Negotiations between the United States and Russia regarding the Ukraine conflict will resume on Monday in Saudi Arabia. The Russian delegation is to be led by a senior intelligence officer and a former diplomat, both of whom played roles during the 2014 Ukraine crisis, as noted by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.
The focus of the discussions in Riyadh will revolve around ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea. Ushakov confirmed that he had communicated by phone with U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz prior to the talks. The White House indicated that President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin had agreed to conduct ‘technical negotiations’ aimed at establishing a maritime ceasefire in the region, following Putin’s agreement for a 30-day cessation of attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Ushakov disclosed that the meeting would include Grigory Karasin, who chairs the Federation Council committee on international affairs, and Sergei Beseda, an adviser to the head of the FSB security service. Karasin, previously a deputy foreign minister, participated in the 2015 negotiations that led to ceasefire agreements involving Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists, mediated by France and Germany.
Beseda has a noteworthy history, including a visit to Kyiv amidst the 2014 pro-democracy protests. Reports indicated that he fell out of favor after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, temporarily imprisoned over erroneous intelligence, before being quietly reinstated.
Ushakov characterized these negotiators as notably skilled and experienced in international matters. Conflicting reports earlier suggested that talks were initially scheduled to be hosted in Jeddah on Sunday, as communicated by U.S. President Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.
The U.S.-Russia negotiations on Ukraine are set to take place in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing maritime safety in the Black Sea. Led by experienced negotiators, the upcoming talks follow a recent pause in military actions. These discussions reflect ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the Russia-Ukraine conflict, alongside considerable historical context from previous negotiations.
Original Source: www.themoscowtimes.com
