Aide to Putin explains Moscow's stance on negotiations with the US
Yury Ushakov has announced that Kiev and the EU will not participate in the upcoming Ukraine peace negotiations in Riyadh. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
High-level delegations from Russia and the United States are set to engage in talks in Riyadh, with no third parties participating, according to Yury Ushakov, President Vladimir Putin’s senior foreign policy advisor. Earlier, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky emphasized that Kiev would regard any negotiations lacking its involvement as “null and void.”
Ushakov stated that the upcoming discussions in Saudi Arabia, scheduled for Tuesday, aim to establish a foundation for resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He confirmed, “The talks in Riyadh will be bilateral – between Russia and the United States.”
The Russian delegation will feature Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, alongside Ushakov himself. Additionally, Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the sovereign wealth fund, may also participate. Established in 2011, this fund is designed to draw in direct investments and venture capital into Russia.
On the American side, the delegation will include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz, and Steve Witkoff, the special envoy for the Middle East.
Notably, EU diplomats will not attend the negotiations. Kellogg remarked that bringing multiple parties into the discussions might disrupt progress.
Zelensky reiterated that Kiev would not recognize any agreements potentially reached between Russia and the US during the Riyadh talks, stating that the Ukrainian government would only validate negotiations that included its representatives.
These discussions in Riyadh come on the heels of a phone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where the two leaders agreed to kick off negotiations aimed at concluding the nearly three-year conflict.
Riyadh has previously acted as a mediator for prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine and maintains diplomatic relations with both countries. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov clarified that the venue was chosen due to its suitability for both nations.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) has been active in initiatives within the BRICS group, which consists of emerging economies, including Russia, China, India, and Brazil. Saudi Arabia was invited to join the bloc in 2023 and has participated in discussions about potential membership, though it has yet to make a final decision.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
Ushakov stated that the upcoming discussions in Saudi Arabia, scheduled for Tuesday, aim to establish a foundation for resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He confirmed, “The talks in Riyadh will be bilateral – between Russia and the United States.”
The Russian delegation will feature Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, alongside Ushakov himself. Additionally, Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the sovereign wealth fund, may also participate. Established in 2011, this fund is designed to draw in direct investments and venture capital into Russia.
On the American side, the delegation will include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz, and Steve Witkoff, the special envoy for the Middle East.
Notably, EU diplomats will not attend the negotiations. Kellogg remarked that bringing multiple parties into the discussions might disrupt progress.
Zelensky reiterated that Kiev would not recognize any agreements potentially reached between Russia and the US during the Riyadh talks, stating that the Ukrainian government would only validate negotiations that included its representatives.
These discussions in Riyadh come on the heels of a phone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where the two leaders agreed to kick off negotiations aimed at concluding the nearly three-year conflict.
Riyadh has previously acted as a mediator for prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine and maintains diplomatic relations with both countries. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov clarified that the venue was chosen due to its suitability for both nations.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) has been active in initiatives within the BRICS group, which consists of emerging economies, including Russia, China, India, and Brazil. Saudi Arabia was invited to join the bloc in 2023 and has participated in discussions about potential membership, though it has yet to make a final decision.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
