US‑Ukraine negotiations in Riyadh: Searching for common ground
Only terse statements were released after the talks between the American and Ukrainian delegations in Saudi Arabia, indicating that a breakthrough is still far off. Professor Anatolii Romaniuk, a political scientist based in Lviv, told WP that negotiations of this nature are typically extremely challenging, especially in times of conflict — which is precisely what’s happening in this situation.
The talks between the US and Ukrainian delegations concerning the war initiated by Russia took place on Sunday. Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who led the delegation from Kyiv, said the talks were focused and constructive, with key topics such as energy being among those discussed.
Discussions on infrastructure protection and shipping
Before the meeting, Umerov conveyed that "the agenda included proposals for the protection of energy facilities and critical infrastructure." "We are working on a range of complex technical issues, and our delegation includes energy sector experts as well as military representatives from the Navy and Air Force," he added.
On Monday, it was revealed that the meeting between Ukrainian and US representatives in Riyadh primarily concerned two topics: infrastructure and shipping security. The Ukrainian section of the BBC reported that the talks in Riyadh also addressed the agreement on exporting Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg, citing sources close to the matter, reported that the White House aims for an agreement on a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war to be reached before 20th April.
According to the political scientist from the University of Lviv, Professor Anatolii Romaniuk, realistically, it may be challenging to reach a consensus by this date.
US-Ukraine-Russia talks. "Their point of view"
"Whenever such negotiations occur, they proceed with great difficulty under conflict conditions. And that is the case here. The most problems occur at the very beginning," says Professor Romaniuk in a conversation with Wirtualna Polska.
He assesses that time must pass for there to be any acceptance of the very idea of negotiations.
"Additionally, each side sees their own point of view. Time is therefore needed also to work out a compromise. From this perspective, it is good that such talks have even started. Let us not forget that three parties are participating, which automatically prolongs the negotiations," reminds the political scientist from Lviv.
Russia's attacks on Ukraine. "Kyiv wants to prevent this"
On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky referred to the talks in Saudi Arabia.
"Our team is working in a completely constructive way. The conversation is very beneficial, and the delegation's work continues. But regardless of what we tell our partners today, we must force Putin to give a genuine order to stop the attacks. He who started this war must be the one to reverse it," the leader of Ukraine emphasised.
Professor Romaniuk speaks in a similar tone. "The Ukrainian side wants a ceasefire. It wants to stop further destruction of the country and the killing of civilians. As was the case in Kyiv, where an air attack lasted for three consecutive days, killing, among others, a five-year-old child and her father. Each day, many people are injured, and there are reports of deaths. Kyiv wants to prevent this," emphasises the Ukrainian political scientist.
"We must seek a compromise"
Simultaneously, Professor Romaniuk adds that Ukraine realises that, in this mode of war, in which the conflict is currently unfolding, with Russia's advantage on the front, one cannot expect a swift end to the conflict.
"Additionally, we must look towards the American delegation. For Kyiv, the situation changed after the presidential elections in the USA. In the White House, the approach to the war has changed. Washington still remains an ally of Ukraine, but on its own new terms. We have no choice, we must seek a compromise," the political scientist believes.
In his opinion, the Russian side will strive to meet the conditions that Vladimir Putin presented after a phone conversation with Donald Trump.
Ukraine's negotiations with Russia. Seeking "common points"
Also on Monday, in Saudi Arabia, the Americans are talking with the Russian side. "I think you will see some real progress, especially regarding a ceasefire in the Black Sea between the ships of both countries. And from there, we will naturally move towards a full ceasefire," said Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy for the Middle East, in an interview with Fox News.
According to Professor Romaniuk, under the current conditions, everything depends on the American side and whether it is possible to jointly establish the so-called common points.
"We recall the conversation at the White House, how Volodymyr Zelensky was treated by Donald Trump and J.D. Vance. Of course, it was pressure on Ukraine. If such pressure were exerted on the Russian side, then we would see what Moscow could agree to. However, we do not see this yet...," notes the political scientist from Lviv.
"A moment that Putin wants to exploit"
According to Professor Romaniuk, the Russians would gladly agree to an agreement ensuring the safety of navigation in the Black Sea.
"They would like guarantees for the safety of commercial ships that do not transport military goods because they do not control that at present. For them, it would mean a return to doing business and an influx of cash. But this is not one of the points conditioning the end of the war, but a moment that Putin wants to exploit to gain benefits for Russia," the expert argues.
In his view, the Ukrainian side will not quickly sit down at the negotiating table with the Russian delegation.
"Kyiv wants Europe to also participate in the talks all the time. The position of the Old Continent cannot be rejected. A balance must be maintained," Professor Romaniuk summarises.
