The Kremlin has declined to disclose details regarding ceasefire talks with U.S. officials, while Ukrainian diplomats prepare for further negotiations. Discussions focus on a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and may involve a 30-day ceasefire that includes discussions on sanctions relief. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stresses the need for European ally involvement in any peace settlements.
On Tuesday, the Kremlin refrained from revealing the details of ceasefire discussions with U.S. officials, even as Ukrainian diplomats prepared for additional talks. Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov indicated, “Those were technical talks, so the content of these talks won’t be made public for sure,” emphasizing that evaluations were ongoing between Moscow and Washington. However, he confirmed that communication would continue between diplomats from both nations.
U.S. and Russian representatives planned to issue a joint statement following a day of discussions in Saudi Arabia, which focused on establishing a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire amid three years of conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The discussions reportedly centered on a maritime ceasefire concerning the Black Sea, a critical area affected by war that has disrupted regional agricultural exports and global supply chains.
Russian state media reported that a senior official described the lengthy negotiations as “detailed and complex.” Grigory Karasin, head of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs, remarked, “[We] discussed everything, and the dialogue was detailed and complex but quite useful for us and for the Americans.” There were indications that Moscow might be seeking relief from some Western sanctions to reinstate the grain deal that it withdrew from earlier this year.
Ukraine previously consented to a 30-day ceasefire agreement in negotiations with U.S. officials, but accused Russia of delaying the truce for manipulative purposes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that there had been ongoing discussions with American officials to finalize a potential agreement, revealing his communication with key defense authorities and noting that he anticipated new updates soon.
Zelenskyy underscored the necessity of incorporating European allies into any forthcoming peace agreements, despite skepticism from both Moscow and Washington about their involvement. He declared, “What we need is movement toward real peace—toward guaranteed security,” emphasizing the collective desire for stability in international relations. In contrast, President Putin insisted that any ceasefire must prevent Ukraine from rearming and called for halting weapon shipments to Kyiv during any ceasefire period.
In summary, the Kremlin remains tight-lipped regarding the ceasefire negotiations with the U.S., while Ukraine is gearing up for further discussions. The recent talks have underscored the complexity of the situation, particularly concerning maritime ceasefire proposals and the potential lifting of sanctions. Ukrainian leadership emphasizes the importance of European involvement in peace efforts, amid ongoing skepticism from both Moscow and Washington. The path toward achieving a lasting ceasefire highlights the intricate dynamics at play in this prolonged conflict.
Original Source: www.cnbc.com
