Russia refuses to discuss ending attacks on civilian targets at talks in Saudi Arabia – OP
27 March 2025 14:55
At the talks in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, Russia refused to discuss the cessation of strikes on civilian targets.
Deputy Head of the President’s Office Ihor Zhovkva said this in an interview with Ukrinform, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
He said that during the talks in Saudi Arabia, Ukraine insisted on ending the strikes on civilian objects, namely schools, hospitals, residential buildings, and kindergartens.
However, during a meeting between the Russian and American delegations in Riyadh, Kremlin officials said that they “have no mandate” to discuss stopping attacks on civilian targets.
“As for the energy infrastructure, on March 25, they posted their list, their understanding of the objects, which is much smaller and narrower than ours. The American side did not agree on this list, because, again, like the statement about the alleged terms of the truce in the Black Sea, it was issued only in Russian,” Zhovkva said.
What is known about the negotiations?
The negotiations are being conducted using the method of “shuttle diplomacy” – Ukraine and Russia do not communicate directly, but through the United States as an intermediary. Thus, on March 23, the Ukrainian “technical” group held talks with the United States, on March 24, the Americans held talks with the Russian delegation, and on March 25, the United States held consultations with Ukraine again.
The parties are trying to agree on a partial 30-day ceasefire. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Russian leader Vladimir Putin to “push” for a real order to stop the attacks, as the occupiers continue to strike at Ukraine after the ceasefire proposal.
In general, the negotiating team from Ukraine included the head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa. However, it is known that energy experts and the military also joined the meeting on March 23.
