U.S. and Russian negotiations are set to resume in Saudi Arabia, focusing on a proposed ceasefire amid ongoing hostilities in Ukraine. While both Zelenskyy and Putin have tentatively supported a pause in strikes, there are concerns regarding American envoy Witkoff’s remarks that may align with Russian narratives, raising alarms in Ukraine about the peace process.

Negotiations between American and Russian representatives were scheduled to resume in Saudi Arabia to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The talks, aimed at establishing a ceasefire and a peace agreement, are set against the background of a proposed halt to strikes on energy infrastructure—a plan that has garnered tentative support from both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to the state-run Russian news agency Tass, U.S. and Russian officials commenced their closed-door discussions in Riyadh early on Monday. Steve Witkoff, a former envoy to the Middle East, expressed optimism about the negotiations, emphasizing the importance of clear communication in resolving the conflict.

The meeting follows a previous discussion between American and Ukrainian diplomats in Riyadh, where Zelenskyy received positive feedback from his defense minister regarding the talks. Nevertheless, Zelenskyy stressed the need for Putin to formally order a cessation of strikes against Ukraine, underscoring that the aggressor must be the one to end the hostilities.

Concerns have emerged regarding Witkoff’s statements, which some perceive as alignment with misleading Russian claims on territorial disputes. In an interview, Witkoff highlighted Russian-speaking regions claiming to want integration with Russia, ignoring the international community’s condemnation of their referenda as illegitimate, alongside firm past U.S. stances against such claims.

Witkoff also referenced a closer relationship between Trump and Putin, divulging an anecdote about Putin expressing concern for Trump following an assassination attempt in 2024. This perspective has raised alarm in Ukraine, with parliamentary members questioning Witkoff’s allegiance to American interests versus Russian narratives.

In response to Witkoff’s comments, Oleksandr Merezhko, chair of Ukraine’s foreign affairs committee, urged skepticism regarding Witkoff’s representation, likening it more to a Russian envoy than an American. He called for Trump to repudiate Witkoff’s comments, which he deemed perilous to the peace process. The Kremlin acknowledged that the negotiations would be challenging and indicated that initial discussions had only just begun, amidst ongoing cross-border hostilities between Ukraine and Russia.

In conclusion, the resumption of U.S.-Russia negotiations in Saudi Arabia reflects ongoing efforts to address the Ukraine conflict, with a proposed ceasefire on the agenda. However, the discourse surrounding the talks, particularly statements made by Steve Witkoff, has raised significant concerns within Ukraine regarding the alignment of U.S. policy and the potential influence of Russian narratives. The complexities of these discussions highlight the challenges that lie ahead in achieving a lasting peace agreement.

Original Source: abc7ny.com

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