Whether talks or negotiations are important to lead to peace

After talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the parties did not come up with a joint statement. But unofficial information on certain US media briefed by the US negotiating team sounded optimistic. The day after, in the absence of a joint statement, both the Kremlin and Washington, and Kiev made statements, each with their own discourse, but generally overlap the topics of discussion and with the framework conclusions, which can be recognized in the statement. In such a context, for readers of « Nova Makedonija » we convey key parts of all three statements

What the United States, Russia and Ukraine have agreed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

1. White House’s statement, Washington, USA

A White House statement on talks between the US and Ukrainian delegation to Riyadh says « the United States and Ukraine will continue to work towards lasting peace » and welcome third countries to support the implementation of maritime and energy agreements. The United States has repeated to both sides of the war that « killings must stop » and that « the United States will continue to facilitate negotiations ». The White House statement said it was adopted to « cease the Black Sea attacks and ban attacks on energy infrastructure », and that the two warring parties « remain committed to aid in the exchange of prisoners of war, the liberation of civilian prisoners and returning to the return of children ».
According to the White House, it is agreed:
– The United States and Russia to provide safe sailing, eliminate the use of force and prevent the use of commercial ships for military purposes in the Black Sea;
– Russia has agreed to develop measures to ban attacks on energy facilities in Ukraine and Russia;
– Ukraine has agreed with the two points listed above.
The White House statement added that « the United States will help restore Russian access to exports to agricultural and artificial fertilizers and improve access to ports. »

2. A statement from the Kremlin, Moscow

The Kremlin also issued a statement on Saudi Arabia’s negotiations with the United States. The statement claims that « there are a number of conditions coming in a package with the Black Sea Agreement ». The Kremlin statement said that « the agreement will take effect only after sanctions on Russian banks involved in international food and fertilizers are abolished, and they will fully link to the Swift network, which controls most world banking transactions and provides a secure exchange of financial messages. »
This means that Moscow, according to a statement, is in the area that « sanctions must be abolished for its banks, producers and food exporters, as well as insurers involved in food exports, before the Black Sea ceasefire came into force. »
As a reminder, the previous Black Sea export agreement (UN and Turkey’s mediation) was seriously limited to the Russian side. Although Russian trading ships (BI) sailed freely, some ports did not want to receive Russian agricultural products because of the threat of US sanctions and exclusion from the Swift banking system.
Official Moscow also stated in this context that « it cannot trust Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski and therefore can sign the Black Sea deal if Washington gives him a ‘order’ to adhere to it », adding that only then with Washington will « clear ».

3. A statement from Kyiv, from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has issued a statement on the agreement, which largely follows the same text as a White House statement.
But it is also added that the movement of Russian warships outside the « Eastern Black Sea » will be treated as a breach of the agreement and « threat to Ukraine’s national security ».
« In this case, Ukraine will have the full right to exercise its right to self -defense, » the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said in a statement. Official Kyiv added that « additional technical consultation » would be needed to « effectively implement » the agreement. RS

What are the prospects for ceasefire after a meeting in Riyadh?

First important step towards achieving a more comprehensive ceasefire in the war in Ukraine

The agreements were reached after parallel talks in Saudi Arabia followed by individual telephone conversations last week between Trump and two Presidents Zelenski and Vladimir Putin. If implemented, agreements could be the first important step (and for the realization of Trump’s goals) to achieve a more comprehensive ceasefire in the war in Ukraine. It is noteworthy that Putin disagreed with Trump’s proposal for a complete ceasefire for a 30 -day ceasefire, which Ukraine had previously accepted.
« We have made great progress, » Trump told reporters on Tuesday, adding that there was « huge hostility » in the talks. « There is a lot of hatred, as you can probably notice and this allows people to gather, mediate, arbitrate and see if we can prevent it. And I think it will succeed. » Washington has softened his rhetoric for Russia in recent days, with Trump MP Steve Vitkoff saying « he does not consider Putin a bad boy », alerting European officials who see the Russian leader as a dangerous enemy. Lavrov, a veteran of Russian diplomacy, led by the 2004 Foreign Ministry, said Vitkoff’s optimism could soon be ceasefire not taking into account the European allies of Kiev.
« He (Vitkoff) significantly overestimates the elites of European countries, who want to » hang as a stone around the Zelenski neck « to prevent him from » giving up « , » Lavrov said. Ukraine and its European allies fear that Trump could reach a hasty agreement with Putin that will undermine their security and bow to Russian demands, including Kiev to abandon NATO ambitions and abandon the land in Moscow.

Russia would get much more than Ukraine with a ceasefire and a ban on attacks on energy facilities, the Times reports

British Times Reactions After Negotiations in Riyadh: Russia would get much more than Ukraine

The Times analysis states that Ukrainian President Sergei Leschenko’s adviser « accused the White House of failing to receive any concessions from Russia in exchange, and helped Moscow return the export of agricultural products and fertilizers. »
« This will be considered a great victory for President Putin and may be a precedent for subsequent abolition of further sanctions, » the British media analyzes, writing about the terms of the Russian Federation to lift sanctions against Russian agricultural products. The media also cites the resentment of Ukrainian President Leschenko due to the fact that « the agreement does not prohibit Russia from attacking Ukrainian ports ».
« No restrictions (strikes) against Russia are not introduced, » Leschenko said.
– The preliminary and partial ceasefire agreement achieved by US negotiators with Russia and Ukraine in Riyadh yesterday suggests that Vladimir Putin is playing the cards best. In exchange for interrupting the Black Sea fighting and attacks on energy capacities, whose details have not yet been agreed, Russia insists on facilitating some of the most severe food sanctions and will try to restore banks’ access to Swift – an international financial messaging system that Mr. Putin must be thrilled.