A Long Haul in Riyadh: USA, Russia, and Saudi Arabia Discussing Ukraine Ceasefire and More
Negotiations Between Russia and U.S. Last for Hours on a Ukrainian Ceasefire Agreement
Hop on over to the sandy streets of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where for more than twelve long hours, undercover delegates from the USA and Russia have been in deep discussion. The juicy details? A potential ceasefire in Ukraine, according to Russian media. Now, that's some chat! Look forward to a joint statement dropping on Tuesday, as per the Russian news agency Tass, which spilled the beans on Monday evening.
What was the hot topic bubbling under the desert sun during this clandestine meeting at a luxury hotel? You guessed it—the revival of a 2022 agreement that aimed to secure the safe transportation of Ukrainian agricultural exports via the Black Sea, as reported by the Moscow media.
In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov confirmed that the issue of the Black Sea initiative and all related matters were on the agenda for this face-to-face. If that rings a bell, it's because US President Donald Trump had thrown out this proposal, with Russian President Vladimir Putin giving it the thumbs up. "Deck the halls with agreements," Peskov seemed to say.
Digging a bit deeper into the past, did you know that an arrangement for the export of Ukrainian grain from blockaded ports via the Black Sea was hammered out under the watch of Turkey and the UN, following the onset of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine? When the agreement expired in 2023, it was all because Moscow claimed that the West had backed out on its promise to ease sanctions against Russian agricultural exports.
Now, if you're intrigued and dying to know what actually went down in those beaded curtains of that hotel in Riyadh, it’s all very hush-hush. But sources close to the talks have hinted at several key points that could potentially change the tide in the Black Sea region and bring some peace to Ukraine.
What Went Down:
- Safe Navigation and Demilitarization: USA and Russia agreed on ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea, discontinuing the use of force, and preventing commercial vessels from being utilized for military purposes.
- Sanctions Relief: The USA pledged to help restore Russia's access to the international market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lowering maritime insurance costs, and improving port and payment system access.
- Ban on Strikes Against Energy Facilities: The two nations pledged to develop measures for implementing an agreement to prohibit strikes against energy facilities in Russia and Ukraine.
- Third-Party Support: Both parties welcomed third countries’ aid in implementing these accords.
- Peace Call: The USA reiterated the urgency for an end to the violence in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and promised to facilitate negotiations for a peaceful resolution.
- Saudi Arabia's Crucial Role: The discussions wouldn't have been possible without Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's crucial hosting role in Riyadh.
While Ukraine wasn't directly present at the discussions, the aim was to establish conditions that would contribute to peace by addressing broader regional issues linked to the conflict.
[1] Source: ntv.de, AFP
So buckle up, because with these key players on the table, who knows where the winds of change will blow next?
- The clandestine meeting in Riyadh, discussed Ukraine's potential ceasefire, as reported by Russian media, and the revival of a 2022 agreement aimed at securely transporting Ukrainian agricultural exports via the Black Sea.
- According to sources close to the discussions, the USA and Russia agreed on several key points, including ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea, discontinuing the use of force, preventing commercial vessels from being utilized for military purposes, and pledging to restore Russia's access to the international market for agricultural and fertilizer exports.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump had previously proposed the Black Sea initiative, and this agreement was reportedly discussed during the 12-hour meeting in Riyadh, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman serving as the crucial hosting role.
