Ukraine to Avoid Direct Talks with Russia at Upcoming Saudi Arabia Negotiations

Ukraine will not directly engage with Russia during talks in Saudi Arabia on March 24, as stated by Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi. The U.S. will facilitate indirect discussions, while Ukraine prepares for technical talks focused on ceasefire arrangements. Notably, Minister Andriy Sybiha will not attend these discussions.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed that there will be no direct interaction between Ukrainian and Russian delegations during the upcoming talks scheduled for March 24 in Saudi Arabia. Heorhii Tykhyi, the Ministry’s spokesman, made this announcement during a press briefing held in Kyiv.

The engagement will be managed through indirect talks facilitated by the U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, who stated that representatives from both nations will convene in separate rooms. Tykhyi expressed uncertainty regarding the negotiation format that will be adopted by the U.S. in Riyadh, emphasizing, “This is their choice. But we are preparing for the talks in Saudi Arabia as bilateral Ukrainian-American ones.”

Moreover, Tykhyi clarified that Ukraine’s preparations are focused on technical discussions rather than political negotiation processes. He remarked, “There will be a meeting of professional people from the Ukrainian and American sides who can figure out all the details of how a ceasefire should look.” He highlighted the need for clarity regarding control and monitoring of any potential ceasefire arrangements.

It was also noted that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha will not participate in this round of consultations. Meanwhile, the Russian delegation will be represented by notable figures including Grigory Karasin and Sergei Beseda, who hold significant positions within the Russian government.

Previously, the Ukrainian and U.S. delegations convened in Saudi Arabia on March 11, where Ukraine accepted a proposal for a complete ceasefire; however, Russia did not agree to such terms, leading to ongoing missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian territory.

In summary, the upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia will involve indirect discussions between Ukrainian and Russian representatives, with no direct engagement anticipated. Ukraine aims to focus on technical aspects of ceasefire negotiations with U.S. officials, while the Russian delegation’s participation highlights ongoing tensions and the complexities of the situation. The absence of direct negotiations signifies a continued stalemate amidst evolving diplomatic efforts.

Original Source: kyivindependent.com