US and Russia Engage in New Round of Talks in Riyadh on Ceasefire Negotiations
US and Russian officials commenced talks in Riyadh on March 24, focusing on a ceasefire in the Black Sea. Key discussions include oversight measures and returning abducted Ukrainian children. The US delegation, led by Andrew Peek, had prior consultations with Ukrainian representatives. The Kremlin’s commitment to a ceasefire remains uncertain, heightening tensions further.
On March 24, representatives from the United States and Russia convened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a new round of negotiations. This meeting follows previous consultations held by American officials with Ukrainian representatives on March 23. Pro-Kremlin media reports indicate that the meeting is closed to the press, with journalists being asked to leave The Ritz-Carlton hotel, the venue for the talks.
The primary objective of the negotiations is to establish a ceasefire in the Black Sea, which would facilitate unimpeded navigation. According to sources, the discussions will also encompass a control line between the US and Russia, focusing on oversight measures, peacekeeping initiatives, and the current status quo of territorial lines. Additional topics may involve confidence-building measures, particularly the return of Ukrainian children who have been abducted by Russian forces.
The US delegation is headed by Andrew Peek, the Senior Director of the White House National Security Council, alongside Michael Anton from the State Department. On the Russian side, representatives include Grigory Karasin, Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs, and General Sergey Beseda, former head of the FSB’s 5th Service, now an advisor to the FSB’s head. While further discussions with the Ukrainian delegation may occur, direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia appear unlikely.
Previously, US Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg indicated that the Americans would engage in separate discussions with each delegation as part of a “shuttle diplomacy” approach. The recent US-Ukraine talks lasted around five hours, with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov describing the dialogue as “constructive and substantive,” addressing various technical challenges related to energy infrastructure security.
These negotiations come amid former President Donald Trump’s initiative for a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire, to which Ukraine has agreed, contingent upon Russia’s participation. However, the Kremlin has only articulated a temporary pause in attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, continuing aerial assaults on Ukrainian cities, contrary to assurances of restraint. As stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, despite proposals for an unconditional ceasefire, Russia is perceived to be prolonging the conflict.
The ongoing negotiations between the United States and Russia in Riyadh aim to establish a ceasefire in the Black Sea and address critical issues of oversight and the return of abducted children. With US officials engaging in separate consultations with Ukraine, the meetings signify an effort to navigate complex geopolitical tensions. However, the Kremlin’s ambiguous stance on ceasefire commitments complicates the diplomatic landscape, raising concerns about the continuation of hostilities.
Original Source: newsukraine.rbc.ua
