Russia Hopes for Progress in Upcoming Saudi Talks

Russia aims for progress at talks in Saudi Arabia as U.S. officials prepare for separate discussions on a ceasefire. A full ceasefire proposal from the U.S. and Ukraine was rejected by Russia, which instead suggested a halt to aerial strikes. Senator Grigory Karasin leads the Russian delegation, emphasizing their goal of addressing at least one issue during negotiations.

Moscow anticipates potential advancements in negotiations during the upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia, according to a Russian negotiator. U.S. officials are also preparing to engage in separate discussions with Ukrainian and Russian representatives regarding a possible ceasefire. In contrast to a suggested full ceasefire by the U.S. and Ukraine, Russia has proposed merely suspending aerial strikes on energy infrastructure.

The U.S. is set to commence parallel talks with representatives from both Ukraine and Russia on Monday aimed at addressing the ongoing stalemate. Senator Grigory Karasin, who will represent Russia alongside FSB advisor Sergey Beseda, expressed his hopes for progress, stating, “We hope to achieve at least some progress,” during an interview with Zvezda TV.

The choice of negotiators from Russia has raised some eyebrows, as neither Karasin nor Beseda belong to the conventional diplomatic bodies like the Kremlin or Foreign and Defense Ministries. Senator Karasin, a former diplomat, is currently serving in Russia’s upper house of parliament, while Beseda has a background with the FSB security service, which he has represented in previous significant events, including the 2014 pro-EU revolution in Ukraine.

Stating their goal, Karasin emphasized their intentions by saying, “We are going with the goal of resolving at least one issue.” The Russian delegation is scheduled to depart for Saudi Arabia on Sunday and return on Tuesday, emphasizing the urgency of the negotiations.

In summary, the upcoming negotiations in Saudi Arabia have generated hope for progress from the Russian side, led by Senator Grigory Karasin and FSB advisor Sergey Beseda. Despite rejecting a full ceasefire proposal from the U.S. and Ukraine, Russia is reportedly aiming for at least incremental advancements in resolving the ongoing conflict. The choice of delegates has prompted discussions regarding the diplomatic approach being employed.

Original Source: www.themoscowtimes.com