Washington: The Trump administration is making significant efforts to bring an end to the three-year-long Ukraine-Russia war. In a major diplomatic development, representatives from Russia and the United States held a marathon meeting at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. According to the Russian news agency TASS, the discussions between the two sides lasted for over 12 hours. A joint statement from both nations is expected to be released on Tuesday. Prior to this, on Sunday, the U.S. also engaged in talks with Ukraine.
A report from Arab News, citing sources, states that the U.S. delegation was led by Andrew Peek, Senior Director at the White House National Security Council, and senior State Department official Michael Anton. On the Russian side, the discussions were represented by Grigory Karasin, head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russia’s upper house, and Sergei Beseda, an advisor to the director of the Federal Security Service (FSB).
Focus on Black Sea Ceasefire
The White House has clarified that the primary objective of the negotiations is to establish a ceasefire in the Black Sea, ensuring the unrestricted and secure passage of ships in the region. Washington believes that the talks mark a significant step toward broader peace efforts. A White House representative expressed optimism that a positive announcement could be made soon. According to a Reuters report, a draft of a joint statement has been agreed upon and sent to both capitals for approval. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov downplayed expectations, stating, “The talks primarily concern maritime navigation security.”
Why is the Black Sea Critical?
The Black Sea is a strategically vital region, connecting Europe and Asia and serving as a crucial maritime trade route. It also functions as a strategic buffer between Russia and NATO, making it a focal point of geopolitical tensions. Since the outbreak of the Ukraine-Russia war, the region has been unstable, causing significant disruptions to commercial shipping. However, recent months have seen relative stability in the maritime domain. After successfully pushing back the Russian navy in 2023, Ukraine regained some control over its shipping lanes. The White House views this issue as an opportunity to foster trust between the conflicting parties and lay the groundwork for broader peace initiatives.
The Breakdown of the Black Sea Grain Deal
In 2022, Turkey and the United Nations brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allowed for the safe export of approximately 33 million metric tons of Ukrainian grain despite ongoing hostilities. However, in 2023, Russia withdrew from the agreement, citing obstacles to its own food and fertilizer exports. Presently, Russia faces no major difficulties in exporting its grain via the Black Sea. The U.S. sees a Black Sea ceasefire as a crucial first step in rebuilding trust between Ukraine and Russia, potentially paving the way for a comprehensive peace agreement.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the U.S.-led peace initiative gains momentum or faces further setbacks.
