Today, senior Russian and American officials are scheduled to talk in Riyadh. The main agenda will be shaped by discussions on mending the strained ties between their nations and attempting to finish to the conflict in Ukraine.
Each side downplayed the likelihood of a turning point. Until Donald Trump entered the White House around a month ago, these nations had not met at an official level before.
Alarm has been made in European countries and Kyiv only by the reality that the negotiations were happening. It takes place after recent overtures by the US to the Kremlin. According to Volodymyr Zelensky, his country received no invitation to the talks. in Saudi Arabia European officials were meeting in France for urgent discussions on how to react to the incoming U.S. administration’s drastic change in direction.
The program of events is also anticipated to include arrangements for a potential meeting between US President and his Russian counterpart. Trump wants the three-year war in Ukraine to be resolved quickly. Moscow views his position as a leverage to get concessions at this time.
Kyiv was unaware of the discussions in Riyadh, Zelensky claimed, according to local outlets. As a result, Kyiv refrained from acknowledging any contractual arrangements or anything pertaining to Ukraine without its consent. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he stated that strong and trustworthy security assurances will be necessary for a ceasefire agreement. Several European nations, including France and Great Britain, have demanded these guarantees.
Prior to the gathering, Russia stated that the two countries’ leaders wished to put their unusual relationship behind them. The Russian representatives in Riyadh are Sergei Lavrov, who is also the country’s foreign minister, and Yuri Ushakov, a top Putin confidant. American interests will be negotiated by US Secretary of State, National Security Advisor, and the country’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
A long Process
According to a Kremlin spokesperson, the main goal of the negotiations would be to mend the whole web of relations between the United States and Moscow. In addition, a visit between the two heads of state will be arranged and talks on potential agreements on a Ukrainian settlement will take place.
For years, Russia has aimed to reduce NATO’s influence in Europe. It has made it plain that it wishes to discuss a wide range of general security matters with the US bilaterally.
Putin demanded that the military coalition remove its facilities, personnel, and equipment from a number of eastern countries prior to his invasion in 2022. It’s uncertain if any negotiations will result in a deal to stop the conflict in Ukraine.
The conference has been framed by the United States and Russia as the start of a possibly drawn-out procedure. Ushakov of Russia informed the press that the meetings will include how to begin discussions on Ukraine.
Ukraine and Russia have both ruled out giving up territory. Putin went even further to order Kyiv to remove its soldiers from additional areas. On Tuesday, Zelensky visits Ankara to speak with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about the crisis. On Wednesday, he flies to Saudi Arabia.
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