U.S.-Russia Talks Scheduled for Monday in Saudi Arabia on Ukraine War

U.S.-Russia talks on the Ukraine war are scheduled for Monday in Saudi Arabia. A Russian delegation will attend to discuss safe navigation in the Black Sea, following a U.S. announcement of negotiations for a maritime ceasefire after a 30-day pause in Ukraine’s energy infrastructure attacks. Experienced negotiators from Russia will lead the discussions.

Negotiations between the United States and Russia regarding the war in Ukraine are scheduled for Monday in Saudi Arabia. A Russian delegation, led by veteran officials involved in the 2014 Ukraine crisis, will participate in the discussions, as confirmed by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.

Ushakov indicated that the focus of the Riyadh talks would be on ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea. He also mentioned having communicated via telephone with U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz regarding this meeting.

The White House previously announced that U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to initiate “technical negotiations” aimed at establishing a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea after Putin consented to a 30-day cessation of attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

The Russian delegation will include Grigory Karasin, chairman of the Federation Council committee on international affairs, and Sergei Beseda, adviser to the head of the FSB security service. Both officials have substantial experience in negotiating with Ukraine, with Karasin participating in ceasefire agreements in 2015, which were mediated by France and Germany.

Beseda, known for his intelligence roles, previously visited Kyiv during the 2014 pro-democracy protests. Reports indicate that Beseda faced a decline in favor with Putin due to intelligence failures prior to the 2022 invasion but was later reinstated.

Ushakov praised the negotiation team’s experience and familiarity with international issues. Initially, U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff informed Fox News that the talks were set to occur in Jeddah on Sunday.

In summary, the discussions between U.S. and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia highlight continuing efforts to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, particularly relating to safe maritime navigation. With experienced delegates from both sides, the outcome of these talks could be pivotal in establishing a ceasefire in the Black Sea region. The commitment to dialogue amidst escalating tensions underlines the importance of diplomatic channels in resolving international conflicts.

Original Source: www.themoscowtimes.com