The News
Russia downplayed the possibility of swift progress in Ukraine ceasefire talks with US officials currently underway in Saudi Arabia.
A Kremlin spokesperson spoke of “difficult negotiations” following a 12-hour meeting in Riyadh, the specifics of which are expected to be released Tuesday. Moscow has “turned the discussion into a lingering one” to blunt momentum on a ceasefire while it gains on the battlefield, a prominent pro-Kremlin analyst said.
While the talks may result in some normalization of US-Russia relations, a successful peace negotiation is unlikely, Eurasia Group’s Ian Bremmer argued, drawing a comparison with the US involvement in talks for a Gaza ceasefire — which ultimately fell apart, allowing Israel to restart fighting over its “more maximalist” demands.