Negotiators from the U.S. and Russia are set to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss a ceasefire and peace agreement in Ukraine. Key topics include halts on attacks on energy infrastructure, mutual support for the plan from both Putin and Zelenskyy, and the need for communication to resolve ongoing conflicts. However, concerns about misleading narratives emerge from recent comments by Steve Witkoff regarding Russian claims over occupied territories, which have been internationally dismissed as illegitimate.

American and Russian negotiators are scheduled to reconvene for discussions in Saudi Arabia on Monday, as the Biden administration intensifies efforts to secure a ceasefire and a comprehensive peace agreement to conclude the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has persisted for three years. Among the anticipated topics are proposals to halt assaults on energy infrastructure, a plan that has garnered preliminary support from both President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Steve Witkoff, former Middle East envoy under President Trump, who has engaged in talks with both Moscow and Kyiv, expressed optimism regarding potential advancements in the peace process. He noted in an interview with Fox News, “the president’s philosophy of peace through strength brings people to the table to clear up misconceptions and to get peace deals done.” Witkoff emphasized the necessity of communication in ending conflicts, saying, “I’m not sure how anyone would expect an end to a conflict when you’re not communicating.”

The upcoming negotiations follow a joint meeting between American and Ukrainian representatives in Riyadh, where Zelenskyy received positive feedback on their discussions from Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. However, he stressed the urgency for direct actions from Putin to halt ongoing military operations, stating, “the one who brought this war must be the one to take it back.”

Concerns persist regarding Witkoff’s recent comments suggesting a potential alignment with misleading Russian narratives. He referenced areas in Ukraine that Russia has claimed, yet did not acknowledge the widespread rejection of the legitimacy of referenda conducted in those regions. This disregard has raised eyebrows, particularly as former Secretary of State Antony Blinken clearly stated that the United States would never recognize Russia’s assertions of sovereignty over territories seized by force.

Witkoff also highlighted the personal rapport between Trump and Putin, which includes Putin’s public expressions of support for Trump. He stated, “This is the kind of connection that we’ve been able to reestablish through a simple word called communication,” addressing critics of engaging with Putin by saying, “I don’t regard Putin as a bad guy.”

In conclusion, U.S.-Russia negotiations in Saudi Arabia represent a crucial step towards achieving peace in Ukraine, with discussions focusing on a ceasefire and cessation of strikes on energy targets. While the sentiments of optimism remain, concerns about misleading narratives surrounding the conflict persist, requiring careful scrutiny. Communication appears to be the key element in addressing the complexities of international diplomacy in this context.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com

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