US Plans Technical Meeting with Ukraine Preceding Russia Negotiations in Saudi Arabia

A US technical team will meet Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia before engaging with Russia. The meeting aims to lay groundwork for potential negotiations. US officials Rubio and Waltz will not attend, indicating a focus on technical discussions rather than political negotiations. Zelenskyy reassured the delegation’s qualifications for the discussions.

A United States technical team is scheduled to engage with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia prior to discussions with Russian representatives. This initial meeting is set for Sunday, with the possibility of a follow-up if positive developments occur following the Monday meetings with the Russian team.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz will not be participating in this particular round of negotiations, as reported by CBS News correspondent Jennifer Jacobs. The technical meeting aims to facilitate the shuttle diplomacy efforts initiated during the Trump administration.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the Ukrainian and US teams will convene on Monday in Saudi Arabia, a location selected for this purpose. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tykhyi, emphasized that this first meeting would be a technical discussion, distinct from political negotiations, and, notably, would not involve contact with Russian officials.

US Special Representative for Ukraine Keith Kellogg articulated the intention behind the meeting: to conduct indirect negotiations to ascertain the conditions each party would require to conclude the conflict. Zelenskyy assured that the Ukrainian delegation would consist of high-level, technically proficient individuals, including Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who will participate separately.

The forthcoming meetings between the US technical team and Ukrainian officials represent an important step towards potential negotiations with Russia. The emphasis on technical discussions in Saudi Arabia suggests a preliminary phase aimed at understanding each side’s conditions for peace. The absence of top US officials at this stage indicates a focused approach to the ongoing conflict, highlighting the roles of specialized team members in navigating these complex discussions.

Original Source: unn.ua