On March 24, Ukraine and Russia will hold ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia, without direct contact. Yuri Ushakov stated the focus is a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, while skepticism remains concerning agreements. The U.S. will aid negotiations, and issues regarding grain exports will also be discussed.
On March 24, Ukrainian and Russian delegations are set to meet in Saudi Arabia for ceasefire discussions, though there will be no direct contact between them. This arrangement underscores the significant divisions that persist, despite the optimism expressed by the White House regarding prospects for peace. The Washington Post provided this update on the negotiations.
Yuri Ushakov, chief aide to President Vladimir Putin, reported that the focus of the talks will be proposals for a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea. The discussions will be conducted in separate rooms, with intermediaries facilitating communication between the two sides. Keith Kellogg, former special representative for Ukraine and Russia under Donald Trump, referred to this process as “proximity discussions … sort of like shuttle diplomacy in a hotel.”
Ukraine advocates for a comprehensive ceasefire without preconditions, while President Putin has only consented to a more limited proposal that calls for a cessation of attacks on energy infrastructure. Samuel Charap, a Russia analyst at the Rand Corporation, noted that a ceasefire is particularly sensitive and can easily be undermined, predicting a “one step forward, two steps back kind of situation” in negotiations.
Andriy Stavnitser, CEO of Ukraine’s largest port, TIS, expressed skepticism regarding agreements with Russia, citing past instances of sabotage and deliberate attempts to undermine Ukraine’s position in global markets. He emphasized the necessity of having international observers, ideally from the United States, to ensure compliance during any agreements reached.
The discussions will also address grain supply issues in the Black Sea, tied to an agreement made in the summer of 2022 that permitted Ukraine to export grain from its ports. This arrangement has faced numerous challenges, including Russia’s claims that Ukraine used safe corridors for drone strikes, leading to the eventual suspension of the agreement.
Grigory Karasin, a senator handling foreign affairs, will lead the Russian delegation, accompanied by Sergey Beseda, a senior adviser to the Federal Security Service. Ukraine’s representation will include Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office, Pavlo Palisa, along with technical experts on energy and port infrastructure.
American mediators will feature Michael Anton, policy planning director under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as well as aides to Kellogg and representatives from national security adviser’s office. The meeting in Riyadh is part of U.S. efforts to facilitate indirect negotiations, emphasizing continued engagement with both Ukrainian and Russian representatives. On March 21, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi confirmed that the Ukrainian delegation would meet with the American team in Saudi Arabia, dismissing the possibility of direct talks with the Russians.
In summary, the forthcoming discussions in Saudi Arabia reflect the complexities and ongoing challenges in achieving a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. With separate negotiations and issues like maritime ceasefires and grain supply at the forefront, skepticism remains regarding the outcomes of these talks. The involvement of U.S. mediators underscores the international community’s interest in fostering dialogue, while the historical context of previous negotiations casts doubt on the prospects for compliance and successful resolutions.
Original Source: global.espreso.tv
