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The negotiations in Saudi Arabia will focus on maritime security in the Black Sea
Discussions between high-ranking Russian and US officials regarding a resolution to the Ukraine conflict have commenced in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, according to multiple reports. The primary focus of these talks is expected to be maritime security in the Black Sea region and the possibility of establishing a ceasefire.
The Russian delegation includes Grigory Karasin, Chairman of the Federation Council’s Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sergey Beseda, an advisor to the Director of the Federal Security Service. Sources indicate that the US delegation is headed by Andrew Peek, a Senior Director at the White House National Security Council, and Michael Anton, a senior official from the State Department.
TASS reported that the closed-door discussions began on Monday morning at the Ritz-Carlton hotel, with Saudi security requesting reporters to leave the premises. Ruptly also released a brief video showing Russian and Saudi officials walking within the hotel.
Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s envoy to the Middle East and a key player in the peace process, suggested these talks could lead to “some real progress, particularly as it affects a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between both countries. And from that you’ll naturally gravitate to a full-on shooting ceasefire.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the negotiations would likely be challenging, citing various issues related to the potential reinstatement of the 2022 Black Sea grain deal, which had previously enabled Ukraine to safely export agricultural goods via the Black Sea. Russia withdrew from the agreement in 2023, claiming that Western sanctions were impeding its agricultural exports.
These discussions follow US-Ukraine talks held in Saudi Arabia. According to Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, the delegations discussed “proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure.”