It’s reported the meeting went on for 10 hrs- with 3 breaks. Seemed to me that there had to have been a whole lot of back and forth- but no meeting of the minds.
Two reports;
MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has stated that one should not anticipate any breakthroughs from the ongoing Russia-US consultations in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh, as there are numerous issues to work out there.
“These are talks conducted behind closed doors. Of course, one should not expect some kind of breakthroughs, but rather understand that the work is being conducted in several areas,” the diplomat said at a meeting with students at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics as part of the Monthly Top project carried out by the First Media Academy.
2nd; US and Russia engaging in ‘creative’ talks – Moscow
The US-Russian talks held in Saudi Arabia are a “creative” endeavor, though they may not yield a diplomatic breakthrough on Monday, a Russian lawmaker who is part of Moscow’s delegation told journalists.
Grigory Karasin, chairman of the International Relations Committee in Russia’s upper chamber of parliament, provided the media an update during a break in the talks in Riyadh. The discussions, which he described as “technical,” focus on maritime security in the Black Sea and the possibility of reviving the Black Sea Initiative, which was originally mediated by the UN and Türkiye. Russia withdrew from the deal in July 2023, citing the West’s failure to provide sanctions relief for its grain exports, as the conditions of the arrangement required.
“Not every negotiation yields a high-profile document or agreement,” Karasin remarked before returning to the closed-door meetings. “What matters is maintaining communication and understanding each other’s positions. In this regard, we are succeeding.”
Alongside Karasin, Russia’s delegation includes Sergey Beseda, an adviser to the director of the Federal Security Service. Their American counterparts, as identified by Reuters, are Andrew Peek, a senior director at the White House National Security Council, and Michael Anton, a senior State Department official.
When asked about possible outcomes, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked earlier in the day that they “primarily concern the safety of maritime traffic. However, if you recall [the original version] of the deal, there were significant obligations made to our side that were never fulfilled. This remains part of the agenda.”
US President Donald Trump has suggested revisiting the grain deal as part of his efforts to mediate a broader truce between Russia and Ukraine, Peskov added.
The Black Sea, the grain deal, this interconnects with Turkey, Montreux etc. Which is why Turkey is being subjected to a colour revolution.
And, I should add this is not the first crack at one I can recall. In 2013 there was the start of one at Gezi Park. With social media featuring large in the protests- As it had during all the so called Arab Springs. Including Syria. And is again in Turkey.
Shortly thereafter, in 2016, there was a coup attempt, that included an attempt on Erdogan’s life- Fortunately for him Russia alerted him to the impending attack- though, I’m certain Turkish intelligence was aware. I wrote extensively about that attempted coup- Which had some really unique features. Connections to Greece, US figures and early reports of Erdogan’s demise in the Egyptian press.
One reply on “Russian/US “creative” Talks No Breakthroughs expected- Nothing Will Be Signed”
Trump has designs on the Zaporizhzhia power plant- based on numerous reports I’ve seen
Could be talk? If Trump is serious about peace this should be a no go.
https://kyivindependent.com/demarcations-lines-ownership-of-ukraines-power-plant-discussed-in-saudi-arabia-during-talks-trump-says/
President Volodymyr Zelensky previously said he had discussed with Trump the possibility of U.S. assistance in restoring the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest nuclear facility in Europe.
The Zaporizhzhia plant’s location, the city of Enerhodar on the east bank of the Dnipro River, remains under Russian occupation, and Ukraine has no access to the surrounding territory.
“We’re talking about territory right now. We’re talking about lines of demarcation, talking about power, power plant ownership. Some people are saying the United States should own the power plant…because we have the expertise,” Trump said.
During the March 19 phone call, Trump suggested to Zelensky that the U.S. could be “very helpful in running the plants with its electricity and utility expertise” and that “American ownership of those plants would be the best protection,” the White House said, without naming specific facilities.