US and Russia Engage in ‘Creative’ Talks in Saudi Arabia

Maritime security and the Black Sea Initiative at the heart of discussions

The United States and Russia are holding "creative" negotiations in Saudi Arabia, though a major diplomatic breakthrough may not be on the horizon, according to a Russian lawmaker involved in the discussions.

Grigory Karasin, chairman of the International Relations Committee in Russia’s upper house of parliament, shared insights during a break in the Riyadh talks. The discussions, which he described as "technical," center on maritime security in the Black Sea and the potential revival of the Black Sea Initiative—an agreement originally brokered by the UN and Türkiye. Russia pulled out of the deal in July 2023, citing the West’s failure to lift sanctions affecting its grain exports as initially agreed.

“Not every negotiation results in a high-profile agreement,” Karasin stated before heading back to the closed-door meetings. “The key is maintaining dialogue and understanding each other’s positions. In this regard, we are making progress.”

Accompanying Karasin in the Russian delegation is Sergey Beseda, an adviser to the Federal Security Service director. The US delegation, as reported by Reuters, includes Andrew Peek, a senior director at the White House National Security Council, and Michael Anton, a senior State Department official.

Maritime Security and Unfulfilled Promises

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov underscored the primary focus of the talks: ensuring maritime traffic safety. He also pointed out that when the Black Sea Initiative was first signed, significant commitments were made to Russia—obligations that, according to Moscow, were never honored. “This remains a key issue on the agenda,” Peskov stated.

Adding to the dynamic, former US President Donald Trump has floated the idea of reviving the grain deal as part of a broader peace initiative between Russia and Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly agreed to Trump’s proposal to suspend attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, with Ukraine pledging to do the same. However, according to Moscow, Kiev has repeatedly violated the ceasefire, including on Monday morning. Russia has warned that it may withdraw from the arrangement if Ukraine fails to uphold its commitments.

Parallel Talks with Ukraine

A Ukrainian delegation is also present in the same luxury hotel in Riyadh where the US-Russian negotiations are taking place. However, the Ukrainian team has had no direct contact with Russian representatives. Instead, they held separate discussions with the US delegation the day before.

While the outcome of these talks remains uncertain, both sides appear committed to keeping lines of communication open—a crucial step in navigating the ongoing geopolitical tensions.

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