Ukraine will not engage directly with Russia during the March 24 talks in Saudi Arabia, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi. The discussions, organized by the U.S, will proceed in separate rooms for each delegation. Ukraine prepares for technical, not political, negotiations focused on ceasefire specifics. The Ukrainian representatives for the meeting are yet to be announced, while Russian officials are confirmed to attend.
On March 24, a series of talks in Saudi Arabia will proceed without direct interaction between Ukrainian and Russian delegations. Heorhii Tykhyi, the spokesman for Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, confirmed during a March 21 press briefing that these discussions will be indirect, facilitated by the United States, which is organizing the meeting with representatives in separate rooms.
Tykhyi expressed uncertainty regarding the negotiation format the U.S. will adopt in Riyadh. He stated, “This is their choice. But we are preparing for the talks in Saudi Arabia as bilateral Ukrainian-American ones.” He emphasized that Ukraine is gearing up for a technical set of discussions focused on operational aspects rather than political ones.
In the talks, professional teams from Ukraine and the U.S. will convene to explore the specifics of a potential ceasefire, including how it will be implemented and monitored. Tykhyi noted that Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha will not be part of this round of discussions.
The upcoming consultations in Riyadh will feature notable Russian officials, including Grigory Karasin of the Federation Council and Sergei Beseda from Russia’s Federal Security Service. The official participants representing Ukraine have yet to be disclosed.
Previous meetings held on March 11 resulted in Ukraine’s acceptance of a U.S.-proposed complete ceasefire. Conversely, Russia declined to agree, leading to continued missile and drone assaults against Ukraine.
The upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia on March 24 will mark a significant moment for diplomatic efforts between Ukraine and Russia, albeit through indirect communication. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has clarified its stance to focus on technical negotiations, removing direct governmental involvement, while U.S. facilitation remains key. Past events highlight the complexities of achieving a ceasefire amid ongoing hostilities, underscoring the challenges ahead in these vital discussions.
Original Source: kyivindependent.com
