In an effort to move towards a possible fire in the war that faces Russia and Ukraine Since February 2022, the delegations of both countries have met Monday in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, under the mediation of the United States. Negotiations, which have prolonged for almost 12 hours, have adopted a unconventional format: Each delegation has occupied a different room, while sending Americans acted as intermediaries, moving from one to another to facilitate dialogue. It is not a usual way of negotiating, but it is the only possible one, since Putin refuses to give a category of sovereign country to Ukraine And, therefore, he will never accept negotiating with Zelenski or his representatives at the same table.
He meetingof the delegations of Russia and Ukraine developed in the Albasatin complexwithin the historic Palacio de Diriyah, An emblematic place of the Saudi royal family which has served as a neutral scenario for these delicate conversations. The choice of Riad as the headquarters reflects the growing role of Saudi Arabia as a mediator in international conflicts, while the presence of the United States as a facilitator underlines its intention to lead efforts to end the most deadly war in Europe since World War II.
The Ukrainian delegationheaded by key figures such as the Head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermakand the Minister of Defense, Rustem umerovarrived with a clear proposal: A HIGH 30 DAY FIRE that protects the critical energy infrastructure of both countries. This initiative, previously discussed with American officials in Jeddah On March 11, it seeks to reduce attacks on vital facilities, a constant friction point in the conflict. Yesterday, at a preparatory meeting of 40 minutes with the Americans, Ukraine expressed his willingness to negotiateprovided that your interests are protected.
For its part, The Russian delegation, led by the former head of the FSB, the elite spy agency of Russia, Sergei Beseda and the senator Grigory Karasinhe maintained an optimistic but cautious tone. Although Moscow has not publicly detailed its demands in this round, sources close to the negotiations cited by the American press, suggest that Russia insists on the neutrality of Ukrainethe recognition of the territories annexed in 2022 and the total cessation of Western military aid to kyiv. The Kremlin, through its spokesman Dmitry Peskov, He has avoided confirming concrete advances, just pointing out that “there are no direct negotiations” and that the process is in an exploratory phase.
The separate room format, with the American envoys -among them, the Secretary of State, Marco Rubioand the national security advisor, Mike Waltz– As a bridge between the parties, it responds to the deep mutual distrust after three years of war. This method, known as «Shuttle diplomacy »allows delegations to avoid a direct confrontation, while mediators transfer proposals and responses. Witnesses of the process have described a tense but ordered environment, with Americans constantly moving between the rooms To maintain the communication flow.
Despite the initial optimism, the day has not been exempt from shadows, since during the previous night, Russia informed having demolished 59 drones Ukraine About its southwest regions, with a balance of a person deceased in Rostov, while Ukraine denounced a massive attack with Russian drones in kyiv who left at least three dead, including a five -year -old boy. These incidents, which occurred while the delegations finalized their arrival in Riad, questioned the real will of both sides of moving towards peace.
From Washington, the special envoy Steve Witkoff He expressed hope in the results. “I think we will see real advances, especially in a high fire in the black sea and, over time, in a total cessation of fighting,” he said in a recent interview in Fox News. However, the Ukrainian president, Volodimir Zelenski, warned that “only a high verifiable fire and clear orders of Putin to stop the attacks” will guarantee tangible progress.
At the close of this chronicle, a joint official statement has not been issued, and the delegations left Diriyah’s palace without statements to the press. The negotiation format, although slow, seems to have sitting the foundations for future rounds, but the persistence of cross attacks suggests that the path to peace is very fragile.
