A team from the United States, headed by former real estate developer Steve Witkoff, has started important discussions with Russian negotiators in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This meeting aims to find a way to halt the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
According to Russia’s TASS news agency, these talks began early on a Monday morning. This meeting follows recent discussions involving a U.S. envoy, Keith Kellogg, and Ukraine’s Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov. Kellogg described their conversation as “productive and focused,” raising some hopes for a potential ceasefire.
Expectations are mixed. Analysts believe a 30-day ceasefire might be achieved, but significant differences remain between Russia, Ukraine, and their U.S. counterparts. Recent events complicate matters. Over the weekend, Russian drone strikes killed six people in Ukraine, including young families. Meanwhile, Russia claims Ukraine attacked its oil and gas facilities, despite proposing to halt strikes on Ukrainian energy targets.
At the talks in Riyadh, Russia’s delegation includes experienced diplomats and military figures, such as Grigory Karasin and Sergey Beseda. Beseda is known for his strong nationalist views and support for Russia’s aggressive actions since the full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The trust between the negotiating sides is fragile. Witkoff has made statements that many in Ukraine see as sympathetic to Russia’s interests. He remarked on a podcast that four regions – Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk – should be recognized as Russian-speaking territories. This perspective aligns with Russia’s narrative following the controversial referendums held in those regions in September 2022, which were largely condemned as illegitimate by the U.S. and its allies.
Witkoff raised an important question: will the world recognize these territories as part of Russia? He also queried if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could politically survive if he acknowledged this claim, highlighting a critical issue in the ongoing conflict.
Moscow insists that any ceasefire must come with conditions, such as Ukraine agreeing not to use this pause to rearm its forces. Additionally, Russia demands that Ukraine never join NATO, complicating the likelihood of meaningful progress in negotiations.
Zelensky has pointedly shifted the blame for the war back to Putin, stating that the responsibility to end the conflict lies with the one who initiated it. He firmly declared, “The one who brought this war must take it away.”
As the situation evolves, public interest remains high, with many following the developments closely. Social media discussions often reflect a mix of hope and skepticism about these negotiations, as people seek peace but remain aware of the complexities involved.
For more detailed insights on this ongoing conflict, you can read updates from credible sources like CNN and BBC News.
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