The stage is set once again for Russia and US to attempt to navigate the murky waters of diplomacy. However, the Kremlin has downplayed expectations for a rapid resolution to the Ukraine conflict, saying that “difficult negotiations” were ahead.
This comes ahead of a meeting between Russian and US delegations in Riyadh, today, Monday, March 24, 2025.
It also follows after US and Ukrainian officials met for talks aimed at hammering out a ceasefire in the war, with Ukraine’s Defence Minister, Rustem Umerov, saying after the meeting that the talks were “constructive.”
Kremlin Spokesman, Dmitry Peskov told Russian state TV, “We are only at the beginning of this path.”
He said that Russia’s “main” focus in its talks with the US would be discussing a possible resumption of a 2022 grain deal that ensured safe navigation for Ukrainian agricultural exports in the Black Sea.
Moscow pulled out of the deal – brokered by Turkiye and the United Nations – in 2023, accusing the West of failing to uphold its commitments to ease sanctions on Russia’s own exports of agricultural products and fertilisers.
Earlier, Senator Grigory Karasin, leading the Russian delegation, told a TV channel owned by the Defence Ministry that they “hope to achieve at least some progress” in the meeting.
Karasin disclosed that he and his fellow negotiator, Sergey Beseda of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), would approach the talks in a “combative and constructive” mood. “We are going with the mood to fight for the solution of at least one issue,” Karasin added.
Last week, US President, Donald Trump had separate discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy aimed at ending the war that began in 2022.
While the talks fell short of Trump’s aim to secure a complete 30-day ceasefire, Putin did agree to stop Russian attacks on energy infrastructure for the period, which Zelenskyy accepted.
However, this was cast into doubt soon after, with both sides reporting continued strikes.
This failure to deliver even temporary peace underscores the enormity of the task ahead in Riyadh.
US Sees Optimism
Meanwhile, US special Envoy, Steve Witkoff on Sunday expressed optimism ahead of the high-stakes talks, telling a news agency that he believed Putin wanted peace.
The talks are expected to delve into the details of implementing the 30-day ceasefire on energy infrastructure, and potentially expand into shipping in the Black Sea.
“I think you’re going to see in Saudi Arabia on Monday 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.”
Steve Witkoff
Also, Witkoff downplayed fears of Putin launching a broader aggression.
“I just don’t see that he wants to take all of Europe. I take him at his word in this sense, so, and I think the Europeans are beginning to come to that belief, too. But it sort of doesn’t matter. That’s an academic issue … The agenda is, stop the killing, stop the carnage. Let’s end this thing.”
Steve Witkoff
Instead, he envisioned a global stage where the US and Russia could build on the ceasefire to normalise relations and join forces in areas such as energy policies in the Arctic, sea lanes, LNG supplies to Europe and artificial intelligence. “Who doesn’t want to have a world where Russia and the United States are doing, collaboratively, good things together?” he asked.
This difference in expectations is sure to affect the latest round of negotiations in Saudi Arabia.
Given the rhetoric from both sides, it is unlikely that any breakthrough will occur quickly.
There may be discussions aimed at resuming humanitarian agreements, such as the grain deal, or even some form of limited ceasefire, but with both parties so far apart on key issues, these talks will likely serve more as a stepping stone for future negotiations rather than an immediate path to peace.
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