Russian and Ukrainian officials are engaged in U.S.-mediated talks in Riyadh, focusing on establishing a limited cease-fire and halting attacks on energy infrastructure. Although both sides have expressed a temporary halt to strikes, details remain unresolved. Discussions will also address shipping safety in the Black Sea and the revival of the 2022 grain export agreement. Kremlin spokesman indicated that President Putin is being updated on the negotiations.
Russian and Ukrainian officials commenced U.S.-mediated talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, focusing on critical issues such as the cessation of attacks on energy facilities. The discussions, initiated on Monday, followed a meeting between American envoys and Ukrainian representatives the previous day. The primary objective is to negotiate terms for a limited cease-fire, a significant precursor to a potential comprehensive cessation of hostilities in the ongoing conflict over Ukraine.
Both Russia and Ukraine agreed last week to temporarily halt strikes on energy infrastructure, yet further details regarding the implementation of this partial truce remain unresolved amid ongoing attacks. The Riyadh meetings, chaired by American mediators, are anticipated to clarify the conditions for the truce and to address maritime safety in the Black Sea.
Dmitri S. Peskov, the spokesperson for the Kremlin, noted that the discussions would also encompass issues related to shipping in the Black Sea and the revival of a grain deal established in 2022, which facilitated the export of substantial quantities of Ukrainian grain. Russia exited the agreement in 2023, attributing its withdrawal to the adverse effects of Western sanctions on its agricultural exports.
Mr. Peskov indicated that President Vladimir V. Putin is informed of the ongoing negotiations, asserting that no further information would be disseminated publicly during this period. Senior Russian diplomat Grigory B. Karasin, co-leading the delegation, characterized the talks as “creative.”
In conclusion, the recent U.S.-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine in Riyadh represent a pivotal moment in seeking to establish a limited cease-fire and detailed arrangements for halting energy infrastructure attacks. While both parties have tentatively agreed to a temporary truce, the terms and enforcement remain to be concretized. Key issues, including potential shipping safety in the Black Sea and the revival of the grain deal, are also on the agenda. The outcomes of these discussions could significantly impact the trajectory of the conflict.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
