Russia and US to Discuss Relations amid Ukraine War Tensions
Talks Aim to Improve Ties
Russian and United States officials plan to meet later this week to address improving relations following the escalating conflict in Ukraine, which has strained ties to unprecedented lows since the Cold War era. The announcement was made by a senior Russian diplomat on Sunday.
Russia's Advances in Ukraine
With Russian forces making significant gains in Ukraine last year, President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to facilitate a peace deal and put an end to the conflict, which has reportedly claimed numerous lives.
Previous Meetings and Negotiations
Trump and President Vladimir Putin had a conversation on February 12 to discuss improving relations and resolving the war. Subsequently, officials from both countries met in Riyadh on February 18 with the same objective.
Deputy Foreign Minister's Statement
Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Ryabkov, who is responsible for relations with the US, announced that a meeting involving heads of departments will be held at the end of the week.
"We are open to communication with the American side, especially regarding challenges in our bilateral relations," Ryabkov stated, as quoted by the state news agency TASS.
"We anticipate genuine progress during the meeting scheduled for the end of the upcoming week."
Trump's Views on the Conflict
President Trump has repeatedly expressed his belief that both President Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy are willing to negotiate a deal.
Trump remarked on February 12 that Ukraine's membership in NATO is unrealistic and that he endorses the statement made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who suggested that Ukraine is unlikely to regain its pre-2014 borders.
Russia's Control in Ukraine
As the conflict enters its fourth year, Russia has control over nearly one-fifth of Ukraine's territory, an area comparable to the size of the US state of Ohio. This includes Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, and portions of the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Luhansk regions.
Russia maintains that the territories under its control are now part of Russia, protected by its nuclear umbrella. Ukraine and its Western allies have rejected and condemned this stance.
Putin's Terms for Ending the War
In June of last year, Putin outlined his conditions for ending the conflict: Ukraine must renounce its NATO aspirations and withdraw its troops from the entirety of the four regions claimed and largely controlled by Russia.
