US -Ukraine talks began in Riyadh, US – Russia – Russia meeting next
Talks between US and Ukraine officials began today in Riyadh, and the agenda includes proposals to protect energy capacity and critical infrastructure, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Scarov, who heads the Ukrainian delegation to Saudi Arabia.
– We started a meeting with the American team in Riyadh. We are implementing the Ukrainian president’s directive to make progress towards achieving fair peace and strengthening security – Scarov said on Facebook.
Following today’s talks between US and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia, a meeting between US and Russia delegations will follow.
US officials’ talks with Ukraine and Russia are continuing tomorrow. Riyadh’s focus is expected to be put on the US proposal to protect the Black Sea navigation by conducting a limited maritime ceasefire. The Ukrainian delegation in Riyadh is led by Defense Minister Scarov and the deputy head of the Presidential Cabinet Paulis Palis.
The Russian delegation, meanwhile, includes Gregory Karasin, a former diplomat and current chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Council of the Russian Federation and Sergei Based, adviser to the Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB).
Direct communication between Ukraine and Russia’s delegations is not envisaged.
