Results of the meeting of Russia and the USA in Riyadh

Photo by RIA Novosti

The main event of the day was The first official negotiations between the United States and Russia in the capital of Saudi Arabia After the beginning full -scale war in Ukraine. Negotiations lasted about five hours, and both sides appreciated their results positively.

Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov He noted that the parties “Not only listened, but also heard each other,” adding that Russia and the United States in negotiations were engaged in establishing relations and “rather unsuccessfully”.

Stephen Whitkoff, US representative, said that “Washington could not imagine the best result.” However, from the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky and many Western media, comments were negative and anxious.

The format of further negotiations

As Washington and Moscow confirmed, the format of further negotiations and “Consultation mechanism” In Ukraine that will continue. Lavrov added that special representatives will be officially appointed from both countries who will oversee the process in Ukraine and contact each other.

It is already known now that the representative of the United States will not be Keith Kellog, who was not present at the meeting in Riyadh. The representative of Putin Ushakov said that Kellogue will negotiate with Europe and Ukraine (he will arrive in Kyiv tomorrow). The Russian side will probably be headed by Stephen Whitkoff, who was also present at the meeting, but this has not yet been officially confirmed.

In addition to special representatives, individual teams of negotiators, who will be approved by the presidents, will work. This is due to various topics of negotiations that are not limited only to Ukraine.

The media report that the meeting of Trump and Putin can take place next week, but Ushakov so far Not confirmed.

Settlement topics in Ukraine

In the negotiations, specific topics on settlement in Ukraine were also discussed. The Russians said that the Americans refuted “KELLLOL PLAN” On territorial concessions from Russia, voiced at the Munich conference. In the United States, this topic was not commented.

Russian negotiators also protested against the introduction of peacekeepers into Ukraine from NATO countries, including European ones, in any format and under any flag. This statement sounded not only from Lavrov, but also from other Russian diplomats, which is an answer to the idea of ​​European peacekeepers actively discussed in the West. Moscow is categorically against this.

Another important statement from Russia concerned the requirement not just a promise not to accept Ukraine in NATO, but by the cancellation of the promise made at the summit in Bucharest in 2008, where Kyiv was promised to indicate specific deadlines. This statement was made during negotiations, although outside their format.

After the Russians, representatives of the United States gave their comments on the Ukrainian topic. Secretary of State Rubio said that “the West will have to cancel sanctions against Russia in case of resolving the Ukrainian conflict.” He also noted that all parties should make concessions to end the war.

Rubio and Waltz added that EU He must also participate in negotiations in Ukraine, as he imposed sanctions against Russia. Americans now “Actively consult” with Western allies on this issue, and “No one will stand aside.”

Rubio hinted at the next round of negotiations, which will affect the issues of territories and security guarantees. According to him, the United States is striving for a “final, not a temporary decision” upon the end of the war, Trump wants to end the war “fair” And avoid its repetition.

Restoring relationships

The parties also expressed their readiness to restore relations in addition to Ukraine. Rubio said that an agreement has already been reached on the restoration of the previous number of embassy employees in Moscow and Washington. Lavrov added that the parties decided to appoint ambassadors and restore cooperation in various fields. The American side also announced cooperation with Russia on “Geopolitical interests” And “Economic capabilities” After the end of the war in Ukraine.

The results of the negotiations

The main conclusion from the statements after the meeting is that Russia and the United States on a positive note launched both the process of restoring relations and the mechanism of peace negotiations in Ukraine to complete the war. Moreover, the latter are initiated without the participation of Kyiv, contrary to the numerous calls of Zelensky. His negative comments on negotiations only emphasize this moment.

This does not mean that the negotiation process will be simple. Coordination of conditions will be very difficult. Moreover, Zelensky makes it clear for several days in a row that it may not take part in the negotiations. However, the space for the maneuver is now small, since alternatives to end the war for him are much worse. Therefore, there are chances for the world.

As for the conditions for the cessation of military operations, a little was publicly said about them. However, three key statements can be distinguished, two of which Moscow made, and one – Washington.

Lavrov, as already mentioned, said that the Americans called “Fake” The plans voiced by KELLOGOM to achieve territorial concessions from Russia (that is, the Russians do not intend to give the already captured lands). He also stated that against the presence of European peacekeepers in Ukraine, which makes the idea of ​​entering the Western forces after the end of hostilities even more problematic.

Rubio said that after the end of the war Sanctions against Russia will be lifted. From his words it follows that not only American, but also European sanctions will be lifted, that he associated with the need to attract Europe. Recall that the lifting of sanctions was one of the conditions for the end of the war in Ukraine, voiced by Putin in June 2024.

However, this is all that was said publicly …

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