Senior US, Russian officials to meet for discussions in Saudi Arabia
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Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov notes that discussions in Riyadh will address the possibility of organizing a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.
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US and Russian national flags wave on the wind in Moscow's Vnukovo airport, Russia, April 11, 2017, to welcome a US dignitary (AP)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov are traveling to Riyadh on the orders of President Vladimir Putin, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced on Monday.
"Today, foreign minister Lavrov and presidential aide Yuri Ushakov are flying to Riyadh on behalf of president Putin," Peskov told reporters.
He added that the officials are scheduled to meet with US representatives on Tuesday, and they will be able to swiftly brief Putin on the outcome of the talks in Saudi Arabia.
The Washington Post reported that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff are set to meet with the Russian delegation.
CNN also cited an informed source as saying that Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund and a key Russian negotiator, is set to meet with the US delegation in discussions that will center on enhancing US-Russia relations and fostering economic cooperation.
According to the Kremlin spokesperson, potential discussions on a Ukraine settlement may take place during the meeting between Russian and American representatives in Riyadh.
"First of all, the contacts that will take place on Tuesday will be about restoring the entire complex of Russian-US relations and preparing possible negotiations on Ukraine," Peskov pointed out.
The Russian diplomat noted that discussions in Riyadh will also address the possibility of organizing a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.
Peskov also expressed Russia's openness to discussing Middle East-related issues with the United States during the talks.
"If this topic is somehow touched upon, then, of course, our representatives will be ready to discuss this topic," he stated.
Peskov further explained that Saudi Arabia was selected as the venue for these contacts because it is mutually agreeable to both Moscow and Washington.
"Saudi Arabia was mentioned by [US President Donald] Trump when they were talking about a possible location for a possible summit ... This location generally suits both the American side and the Russian side. This is a joint decision," he told reporters.
The Kremlin spokesperson also indicated that the global discourse on Ukraine appears to be shifting, noting that discussions have moved from prolonging the conflict to finding ways to end it.
"It is probably important that, in general, if literally two months ago everyone in the world, with the exception, perhaps, of Russia and countries friendly to us, was talking about how to continue the war at any cost, it is gratifying that now everyone is trying to talk about what needs to be done to stop the war at any cost. This is a positive fact," he explained.
Zelensky to travel to Saudi Arabia, but will not participate in talks with Russia
On his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Kiev will not take part in this week’s discussions in Riyadh, emphasizing that his country was not informed about them and does not recognize any agreements made without its involvement.
“Ukraine will not participate. Ukraine knew nothing about them. Ukraine perceives any negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine as those with no results. We can not recognize anything or any agreements about us without us,” Zelensky told reporters Monday.
He confirmed that he will travel to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for official meetings this week but stressed that these visits are unrelated to the US-Russia.
Zelensky added that he intends to ask Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman about the negotiations, "just out of interest."
It is noteworthy that Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky, dismissed Saturday claims that Ukraine would take part in an upcoming meeting between Russia and the United States in Saudi Arabia.
"There is nothing on the negotiating table that would be worth discussing," Podolyak said on Ukrainian television, emphasizing that "Russia is not ready for negotiations."
On the same day, Politico reported, citing a Republican lawmaker and two US officials familiar with the matter, that representatives from all three countries were set to meet in the coming days.
However, the news website later updated its report, noting that a Ukrainian official had confirmed the announcement came as a surprise to Kiev and that there were no plans to send a Ukrainian delegation.
Podolyak's remarks appeared to align with statements made earlier in the day by Zelensky at the Munich Security Conference.
"We didn't talk about it. The media printed something. I saw that someone said that there would be a meeting in Saudi Arabia. I do not know what it is," Zelensky said.
During his television appearance, Podolyak further claimed that Russia aims to use its presence at the negotiating table to secure an "operational pause to reconfigure its army" while also seeking to gain leverage and ease sanctions.
Read more: Trump administration seeks Ukraine war end by April 20: Bloomberg
