Kellogg Describes Monday's Talks in Saudi Arabia as Shuttle Diplomacy Between Hotel Rooms
With 48 hours remaining before separate US-mediated talks between Ukraine and Russia in Saudi Arabia, both sides have expressed hope for progress toward a potential ceasefire in the three-year-long war. US negotiators will meet separately with the Russian and Ukrainian delegations on Monday in what US envoy Keith Kellogg described as shuttle diplomacy between hotel rooms.
Moscow stated that it hopes for some progress in the negotiations, according to Russian negotiator Grigory Karasin, who spoke to a state television channel. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Saturday that Ukraine is striving for peace more than any other country and is working with US and European partners to achieve it.
Despite diplomatic efforts and pressure from US President Donald Trump, achieving a breakthrough remains difficult. Karasin, speaking to Russia's Defense Ministry-affiliated Zvezda TV channel, expressed cautious optimism, stating that he and fellow negotiator Sergey Beseda, a senior official in Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), are approaching the talks with a constructive and positive attitude.
A Ukrainian official told Agence France Presse that Kyiv hopes the negotiations will lead, at the very least, to a halt in attacks on energy facilities, infrastructure, and Black Sea ports by both sides.
The Russian delegation is expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Sunday and return home on Tuesday. The choice of Russian negotiators has raised questions, as neither Karasin nor Beseda comes from traditional diplomatic institutions such as the Kremlin or the foreign and defense ministries. Karasin is a former diplomat and current senator in Russia's upper house of parliament, while Beseda is a high-ranking FSB officer. The FSB admitted in 2014 that Beseda had been in Kyiv during the violent suppression of pro-European protests.
According to Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, Monday's talks in Saudi Arabia between Ukrainian and US representatives will primarily focus on technical aspects of a potential limited ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyistated that the meeting aims to set standards for the various ceasefire options currently on the table.
Tykhyi confirmed that Ukraine had agreed to a US proposal for a full 30-day ceasefire and once again blamed Russia for failing to implement any form of truce. However, he added that Ukraine has no information about the separate negotiations between the US and Russia in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing that Kyiv is only preparing for its discussions with the American representatives.
Sybiha will not travel to Saudi Arabia, but Defense Minister Rustem Umerov is expected to participate in the talks. Discussions will focus on a US proposal to ensure the safety of maritime navigation in the Black Sea by implementing a limited ceasefire in designated maritime areas.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leaders
2 hours ago
- Leaders
Saudi Crown Prince Discusses Iran-Israel Escalation with US, European Leaders
The Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, has discussed the ongoing escalation between Iran and Israel with the leaders of the US, France and Italy, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). On Friday, the Saudi Crown Prince held a phone conversation with the US President, Donald Trump. During their call, they discussed the latest developments in the region, including Israeli military strikes on Iran. Both leaders stressed the need for self-restraint and de-escalation. They also emphasized the importance of resolving disputes through diplomatic means, reiterating the need for continued joint cooperation to establish security, peace and stability across the Middle East. On Saturday, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received separate phone calls from the French President, Emmanuel Macron, and the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. During both calls, leaders discussed the latest regional developments and the implications of Israel's military operations against Iran. Moreover, they underscored the urgency of exerting all possible efforts to de-escalate the situation. The leaders also reaffirmed the need for restraint and resolving all disputes through diplomatic means. On Friday morning, Israel launched its biggest air offensive against Iran, targeting military and nuclear sites in an attempt to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. In response, Iran launched barrages of drones and ballistic missiles against Israel. The ongoing escalation raises fears over an all-out war between the two longstanding foes, which could spark a wider conflict across the region. Saudi Arabia expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli aggressions against Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday. The Kingdom also emphasized that the international community and the UN Security Council (UNSC) bear a great responsibility to immediately stop this aggression. Short link : Post Views: 17
Leaders
2 hours ago
- Leaders
Iran Halts 'Meaningless' Nuclear Talks with US After Israeli Strikes
Iran has declared that discussions with the United States concerning its nuclear program 'meaningless', following Israel's largest-ever military assault against Iranian territory. Tehran officials vehemently accused Washington of directly supporting this unprecedented and aggressive act. Tehran's Firm Stance Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei sharply criticized US actions, deeming the ongoing dialogue pointless, delivering Iran's sharp rebuke via the semi-official Tasnim news agency. 'The other side acts making dialogue meaningless,' Baghaei stated clearly. 'Negotiation claims fail while permitting the Zionist regime attacks,' he further charged. Baghaei asserted Israel deliberately disrupted the diplomatic process. Furthermore, he claimed the Israeli attack undoubtedly occurred with Washington's explicit approval and permission. Earlier, Iran accused the US of complicity in Israel's actions. However, Washington vigorously denied these grave allegations, advising Tehran at the UN Security Council to wisely resume nuclear program negotiations. Diplomatic Future Uncertain The sixth round of crucial US-Iran nuclear talks was initially set for Sunday in Muscat, but serious uncertainty now surrounds whether these vital discussions will proceed after the recent Israeli military strikes. Iran consistently denies that its uranium enrichment program aims to develop nuclear weapons, dismissing Israeli claims of secret weaponization. Instead, Tehran insists that its nuclear activities solely serve peaceful civilian purposes under international regulations and oversight. Despite the tension, US President Donald Trump told Reuters that his team knew about the Israeli attacks beforehand. However, he expressed optimism, emphasizing that there still exists an opportunity to reach a mutually acceptable agreement with Iran. Short link : Post Views: 5
Leaders
2 hours ago
- Leaders
Iran Slams US as "Complicit" in Israeli Strikes at UN
Iran directly accused Washington of complicity in Israeli military strikes during a tense UN Security Council session on Friday. However, the United States firmly rejected these serious allegations against its actions, urging Tehran to resume crucial nuclear program negotiations immediately. Furthermore, US officials emphasized that diplomacy remains the best path forward for all parties involved. Retaliatory Strikes Trigger UN Confrontation Tehran launched retaliatory strikes on Israel late Friday, responding to Tel Aviv's earlier attacks against Iranian targets that same day. Israel's UN Ambassador, Danny Danon, claimed that Iran had been 'preparing for war.' He characterized Israel's strikes as 'an act of national preservation,' justifying the military response. However, his Iranian counterpart, Amir Saeid Iravani, accused Tel Aviv of attempting 'to kill diplomacy' and sabotage negotiations, asserting that Washington's complicity in these actions is 'beyond doubt.' Iravani stated, 'Those who support this regime, with the United States at the forefront, must understand that they are complicit.' Ultimatum and Uncertain Negotiations US President Donald Trump announced a 60-day ultimatum for Tehran, which expired on Thursday, to reach a deal regarding its uranium enrichment program. A sixth round of US-Iran talks was scheduled for Sunday in Oman, but uncertainty looms over its continuation. Danon stated that Israel had exercised patience despite escalating risks, noting, 'We waited for diplomacy to work.' However, he criticized Iran for making false concessions and refusing fundamental conditions during negotiations. Senior US official McCoy Pitt reiterated that the United States will continue seeking a diplomatic resolution which aims to ensure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon or poses a threat to stability in the Middle East. Pitt advised Iran's leadership to negotiate wisely at this critical time. UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi informed the Security Council that the strikes destroyed the above-ground pilot enrichment plant at Iran's Natanz nuclear site. Additionally, Iran reported that its nuclear sites at Fordow and Isfahan also suffered attacks, further complicating the already tense situation in the region. Short link : Post Views: 4
