US and Russian delegations have begun ceasefire discussions in Saudi Arabia, aiming to establish a maritime truce in the Black Sea. Senior US officials Andrew Peek and Michael Anton lead the talks, with Russian representation from Grigory Karasin and Sergei Beseda. The negotiations are part of broader efforts to secure a ceasefire, coinciding with initiatives from former President Trump, while concerns about ongoing military actions persist.
United States and Russian delegations have initiated ceasefire negotiations in Saudi Arabia, as reported by the Russian state news agency Tass. This development is part of Washington’s efforts to establish a maritime truce in the Black Sea, alongside ongoing broader negotiations. Senior US officials Andrew Peek and Michael Anton are leading the discussions, while Russia is represented by Grigory Karasin and Sergei Beseda.
The objective of the US is to facilitate the free movement of shipping in the Black Sea, a priority for Moscow, as a precursor to a more comprehensive ceasefire agreement. These dialogues follow meetings between US and Ukrainian officials that occurred on the previous Sunday. Additionally, former US President Donald Trump is actively trying to mediate an end to the three-year-long conflict.
In recent developments, Trump has communicated with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin to further the peace efforts. An agreement during these talks in Riyadh could be influenced by Putin’s approval of Trump’s proposal for a 30-day halt on strikes against energy infrastructure. However, reports indicate ongoing attacks from both parties, making the ceasefire uncertain.
Zelenskyy emphasized the need for decisive action from Moscow, stating, “We need Putin to give a real order to stop the strikes.” Meanwhile, the Kremlin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has tempered expectations regarding the negotiations, highlighting that many details of a potential agreement remain unresolved and asserting, “We are only at the beginning of this path.”
The recent commencement of ceasefire talks between the US and Russia in Saudi Arabia reflects ongoing efforts to stabilize the conflict in the Black Sea region. While the discussions focus on enabling maritime movement as a precursor to a broader agreement, uncertainties remain due to continued hostilities and unresolved details. Continued diplomatic engagement, including the involvement of former President Trump, underscores the importance of achieving a concrete resolution to the conflict.
Original Source: shafaq.com
