Navigating demands: Russia's negotiating stance in Ukraine talks
Positive changes in the process of resolving the conflict in Ukraine are possible, but likely not in the immediate future, declared Grigoriy Karasin, the chair of the Federation Council's International Affairs Committee, who participated in negotiations in Saudi Arabia.
In an interview with Rossiya24, Putin's negotiator indicated that it might not happen this year or even by the end of the year.
Russia sets demands. Putin does not want peace
The senator described the meetings as "calm" and "constructive" but acknowledged their limited effectiveness. He noted that it would be naive to expect any groundbreaking results at the first meeting.
According to Karasin, the key topics of the negotiations between the Russian and American delegations were maritime security in the Black Sea, the restoration of Russian agricultural exports, and the inclusion of Rosselkhozbank into the SWIFT system.
The senator emphasized that working with the American delegation is "essentially possible" because its representatives "listen, accept, and state their own positions." He also expressed confidence that such meetings would continue and that the Russian negotiation team would be given new tasks.
Negotiations on a ceasefire in Ukraine
Karasin clarified that during the lengthy consultations in Riyadh, the American side initially set unacceptable conditions for Russia. According to him, the US representatives initially tried to take on the role of mediators, deciding for both sides, but quickly realized that "with the Russian side, that won’t work."
The negotiations in Riyadh began on March 23 at 3:30 PM Eastern Time. The American delegation held separate meetings with representatives of Ukraine and Russia, concluding them on March 25. Based on the results, the White House announced the conclusion of an agreement between the parties on a ceasefire in the Black Sea area.
Agreement on navigation in the Black Sea
According to a statement from the US administration, the agreement ensures navigation safety and prohibits using force in that region. In response, Washington expressed its readiness to support the restoration of Russian food exports to global markets.
Soon after, the Kremlin presented its interpretation of the agreements, stating that ending hostilities is only possible if a series of requirements are met, including lifting sanctions against Rosselkhozbank and other financial institutions that ensure food exports. Moscow also demanded the restoration of these banks' access to the SWIFT system and foreign currency accounts.
In response, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky accused the Russian authorities of "manipulating and distorting agreements."
They are already trying to distort agreements and, in fact, deceive both our intermediaries and the entire world — he said.
On March 26, the European Union rejected Russian demands to ease the sanctions regime as part of the agreement discussed. European Commission representative Anitta Hippler stated that the EU does not intend to lift sanctions until the "complete end of Russian aggression against Ukraine and the unconditional withdrawal of troops from its territory."
Later, at a summit in Paris dedicated to Ukraine's security, European leaders confirmed that lifting sanctions against Russia is impossible under the current conditions.
