US-Russian delegations begin meeting in Saudi Arabia, media reports say

Negotiations between the US and Russian delegations have begun in Saudi Arabia, a day after the US delegation held talks on technical issues with Ukrainian officials.

Source: Al Arabiya TV Channel, as reported by Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency RIA Novosti with additional details; European Pravda

Details: The meeting is reportedly taking place behind closed doors at the luxury Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh.

Russia is represented by Grigory Karasin, head of the International Affairs Committee of the Federation Council [the upper chamber of the Russian parliament], and Sergei Beseda, adviser to the director of the Federal Security Service (FSB).

Background: 

• Prior to that, on 23 March, American and Ukrainian delegations held discussions in Riyadh.
• The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry emphasised that the purpose of the meeting was to "determine the parameters of the proposals for various ceasefire regimes currently under consideration". Ahead of the talks, Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umierov, who is part of the Ukrainian delegation, described the meeting as being more technical in nature. He also noted that the Ukrainian delegation included energy experts and military personnel from the maritime and air components.
• Following the talks, Umierov reported that the conversation with the US delegation in Saudi Arabia had been "productive and focused", although he did not provide further details.
• Before the anticipated discussions between Ukraine and the US in Saudi Arabia, Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East, reiterated his belief in Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's commitment to peace. He also stated that he does not perceive Russia as a threat to the rest of Europe.

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