Meeting Discussed with U.S. Regarding Ukraine Matters in Moscow - U.S.-Russia Meetings on Ukraine to Be Discussed in Moscow Report
Here's a lowdown on the latest happenings in the ongoing Ukraine conflict following negotiations between the USA, Russia, and Ukraine in Riyadh and what it could mean for the region.
Meeting Results and Updates
- USA-Russia Agreement: Following a 12-hour marathon talk, the USA and Russia are said to have agreed on a joint statement. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will provide further insights in a television interview soon. The details of the negotiation are still under wraps, and the US side has not yet commented.
- US-Ukraine Meeting: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that there was another meeting between US representatives and Ukraine officials in Riyadh. He expects a new report soon, but the exact timing and details of the meeting remain unclear.
Attacks in Sumy and Eastern Ukraine
The recent talks in Riyadh were aimed at establishing a ceasefire after three years of war. However, the ceasefire initiative was overshadowed by a Russian rocket strike on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy, which injured 88 people, including 17 children. A school, a hospital, and residential buildings were damaged.
Despite the ongoing attacks, the US State Department believes that negotiations are necessary to achieve a ceasefire. The attack on Sumy underscores the critical need for peace initiatives.
Russian Casualties in Eastern Ukraine
Russia reported the death of three media representatives near the front in eastern Ukraine. They were in a car that came under Ukrainian artillery fire, according to Russian reports. Moscow claims this was a deliberate attack on the journalists and plans to seek a meeting with the United Nations Security Council regarding the incident.
Optimistic Outlook for Strategic Resource Partnership
US President Donald Trump remains hopeful about a strategic resources agreement with Ukraine. The agreement, which focuses on rare earths, is reportedly on the verge of being finalized. However, the signing of the agreement was previously halted due to disagreements in late February.
Call for Arms Control in Europe
Former German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel called for linking the deployment plans for US intermediate-range missiles in Europe with a disarmament offer to Russia. Gabriel proposed mirroring the steps taken in the 1980s, offering a parallel disarmament proposal to Russia in exchange for the withdrawal of their intermediate-range missiles.
- Ukraine
- USA
- Russia
- Moscow
- Riyadh
- Kyiv
- Volodymyr Zelensky
- Children
- Sumy
- Donald Trump
- Eastern Ukraine
- News agencies
- Sergey Lavrov
- Maria Zakharova
- Rustem Umerov
- Keith Kellogg
Enrichment Data:
The key aspects of the negotiations in Riyadh revolve around the following:
- Revival of Black Sea Grain Deal: The USA and Russia are expected to propose a joint statement focused on a Black Sea maritime ceasefire, which would revive a past grain deal allowing safe navigation and preventing the use of commercial vessels for military purposes. The agreement could offer Russia renewed influence over inspecting grain exports.
- Energy Infrastructure Protection: The negotiations include measures to prevent strikes on energy infrastructure, with a potential 30-day ceasefire on such targets. The agreement aims to ensure the safety of these facilities but excludes protection for ports and railways, as requested by Ukraine.
- Sanctions Relief for Russia: Russia seeks relief from Western sanctions to enable the export of fertilizers and other agricultural products, linked to the potential revival of the grain deal. Sanctions relief is contingent upon a suspension of military operations by Russia, although there are differences in interpretation by the parties involved.
- Prisoner Exchange and Civilian Releases: The USA and Ukraine have agreed to assist in prisoner exchanges and the release of civilian detainees, including forcibly transferred children.
Despite these negotiations, there are immediate disagreements on the implementation timeline and conditions, particularly regarding sanctions relief for Russia and the scope of the ceasefire agreement.
- The Commission has also been consulted on the draft resolution on the European Union's relations with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, in light of the ongoing negotiations between the USA, Russia, and Ukraine in Riyadh.
- The US State Department, despite the ongoing attacks in Sumy and Eastern Ukraine, continues to advocate for negotiations, acknowledging the critical need for a ceasefire in the region.
- The spokeswoman for the US President, Donald Trump, is yet to provide details on the potential strategic resources agreement with Ukraine, which reportedly focuses on rare earths and was previously halted due to disagreements.
