U.S.-Russia Negotiations on Ukraine War to Resume in Saudi Arabia

U.S.-Russia talks on the Ukraine war will take place on Monday in Saudi Arabia, led by experienced negotiators. The focus will be on safe navigation in the Black Sea, following an agreement for a maritime ceasefire. The talks are part of ongoing diplomatic efforts amidst heightened tensions in the region.

Negotiations between the United States and Russia regarding the war in Ukraine are set to continue on Monday in Saudi Arabia. The talks, confirmed by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, will involve a Russian delegation led by a senior intelligence officer and a former diplomat, both of whom played significant roles during the 2014 Ukraine crisis.

The primary focus of the upcoming discussions in Riyadh will be on establishing safe navigation in the Black Sea. Ushakov noted that he had communicated with U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz about the negotiations.

The White House revealed earlier that President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin had concurred to hold “technical negotiations” aimed at achieving a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea. This agreement came about after Putin consented to a 30-day halt in assaults on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

The Russian delegation will include Grigory Karasin, chairman of the Federation Council’s international affairs committee, and Sergei Beseda, an advisor to the head of the FSB security service. Karasin, who previously served as a deputy foreign minister, was integral in negotiating ceasefire agreements in 2015, with France and Germany acting as mediators.

Beseda, an intelligence officer, was noted for his visit to Kyiv during the 2014 pro-democracy protests. However, he faced a setback in his career following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine due to being imprisoned over intelligence failures, only to be later reinstated. Ushakov expressed confidence in the delegation’s expertise, stating these individuals are “truly experienced negotiators who are well-versed in international issues.”

Initially, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff mentioned that the talks were planned for Jeddah on Sunday. The situation regarding independent journalism in Russia continues to deteriorate, as noted by The Moscow Times, following the designation of their organization as “undesirable” by the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office.

In summary, the U.S.-Russia negotiations are poised to address critical maritime safety issues in the Black Sea amidst ongoing tensions in Ukraine. With a skilled Russian delegation comprising experienced negotiators, the discussions mark a significant effort to stabilize the conflict. The circumstances surrounding independent journalism in Russia also highlight the complex environment in which these talks are occurring.

Original Source: www.themoscowtimes.com