Key delegations from Ukraine, Russia, and the US will convene in Riyadh to negotiate a ceasefire and peace talks. Vital issues include energy infrastructure protection, territorial disputes, and the impact of foreign military aid. US envoy Steve Witkoff identifies the status of Crimea and occupied regions as primary negotiation hurdles, while Zelenskyy criticizes Russia’s demands.

Delegations from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States are scheduled to convene in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Monday to explore potential ceasefire and peace negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that Kyiv’s delegation will present a list of critical energy infrastructures that should be safeguarded from Russian attacks. The United States is anticipated to communicate Ukraine’s concerns to the Russian team eventually.

Moscow has appointed Sergei Beseda, a former chief of FSB intelligence, to lead its negotiation efforts in Riyadh. Meanwhile, the United States is facilitating discussions between Kyiv and Moscow to establish a ceasefire, in line with former President Trump’s interest in a rapid resolution to the conflict. Nevertheless, both parties have challenged previous White House statements regarding the negotiations’ progress.

The primary focus of the upcoming talks will be to finalize a limited ceasefire agreement and initiate discussions on a maritime ceasefire. President Zelenskyy criticized Russia’s “unnecessary demands,” which he believes could extend the conflict. Conversely, Moscow maintains that substantial peace negotiations require Ukraine to cease foreign military assistance and intelligence-sharing.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff identified the status of Crimea and four other Russian-occupied regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—as significant obstacles in the negotiations. Despite the Kremlin’s organization of referenda in these regions, which Ukraine and the international community have condemned as illegitimate, Witkoff cited them as indications of a preference for Russian oversight.

Zelenskyy has reiterated Ukraine’s refusal to acknowledge the annexation of these territories by Russia, suggesting that while ceasefire discussions may proceed, the territorial disputes may need subsequent attention. Additionally, Witkoff mentioned a perceived improvement in US-Russia relations, referencing President Vladimir Putin’s commissioning and gifting of a portrait of Trump, along with his reported prayers for Trump following an assassination attempt in September.

Discussions are also expected to extend beyond the Ukrainian crisis, including cooperation on energy policy in the Arctic, shared maritime routes, artificial intelligence, and liquefied natural gas exports to Europe.

In conclusion, the resumption of ceasefire talks in Riyadh represents a pivotal moment in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, with discussions centered around a potential limited ceasefire and key territorial disputes. While challenges remain, particularly regarding the status of annexed territories and foreign military support, the involvement of the United States indicates a keen interest in facilitating a resolution. Close attention will be required to monitor the outcomes of these negotiations and their implications for regional stability.

Original Source: www.newsx.com

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