Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday, that he is willing, “if necessary,” negotiating with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, to seek a solution to the conflict started almost three years ago.
The statement was made through a Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, and was in the context of a meeting between American and Russian diplomats in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the aim of restoring diplomatic contacts between Moscow and Washington, interrupted from the invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian government recognized Ukraine’s sovereign law to join the European Union (EU), but reaffirmed its opposition to the country’s adhesion to NATO, the Western Military Alliance.
Peskov emphasized that “no one has the right to dictate another country how to behave”, commenting on Ukraine’s entry into the EU, but stressed that the situation is different from security issues and military alliances.
“Our approach here is different and well known,” added the Kremlin spokesman.
These statements take place amidst broader negotiations on security in Europe, with Moscow insisting that a lasting resolution for conflict cannot be achieved without discussing security issues more broadly.
“A long -term agreement, a viable agreement, is impossible without a comprehensive review of safety issues on the continent,” Peskov said.
Diplomatic meeting in Riyadh
The meeting between representatives of American and Russian diplomacy takes place in Riyadh, where US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Russian chancellor Serguei Lavrov. The meeting aims to restore diplomatic relations between the two countries, which had been frozen since the beginning of the conflict.
The White House, however, made it clear that it does not consider the meeting as a formal negotiation about Ukraine, but as a continuation of the telephone conversation between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, planned to occur soon.
Alongside Rubio, the White House National Security Counselor, Mike Waltz, and the special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff attended the meeting. On the Russian side, besides Lavrov, the Foreign Policy Counselor Yuri Ushakov was also present.
Moscow expects progress in economic negotiations
Amid negotiations, Russia also expressed expectations of progress in the economic area. Kirill Dmitiev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, one of the Russian representatives in the negotiations, said he expects the two countries to achieve advances in the economic part of the discussions over the next two or three months.
“We have a number of proposals that our colleagues are considering. I think it will be possible to achieve progress not in the distant future, but in the next two or three months, ”said Dmitiev, who also praised the ability to solve Americans’ problems.
The Russian President announced that about 40% of this year’s federal budget will be destined for defense and security.
The job market in Russia is harmed due to military mobilization and exodus of hundreds of thousands of men, while inflation remains high, about 10%, despite the efforts of the Central Bank.
France announces new sanctions against Russia
Meanwhile, France has announced a new round of sanctions against Russia, focusing on energy resources and practices used by Moscow to circumvent previous sanctions. Jean-NOël Barrot, French Foreign Minister, said the measure seeks to “increase the cost of war for Vladimir Putin”, aiming to press the Russian President to participate in the negotiations.
The sanctions, scheduled to take effect on the 24th, have as its main target the means used by Russia to continue selling oil without exposing themselves to the sanctions of the European Union.
Saudi Arabia’s role in Middle East diplomacy
Amid growing diplomatic activity, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, 19. The visit, which was already planned for some time, highlights the central role of Saudi Arabia in the mediation and exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine.
Saudi heir prince Mohammed Bin Salman has been one of the main suppliers of humanitarian aid to Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict. In addition, the Saudi Kingdom has shown an important part in the region’s diplomatic dynamics.
Saudi monarch has also approached Donald Trump, announcing an investment of $ 600 billion in American technology companies over the next four years.
Zelensky’s visit coincides with an important moment of Saudi diplomacy, which has been influential in issues such as support for Palestinians and the recent truce agreement between Israel and Hamas mediated by Qatar.
The position of Saudi Arabia, one of the leading actors in the Arab world, will be decisive for the evolution of plans for the Gaza Strip, while the Saudi Kingdom seeks to consolidate itself as an important mediator in global and regional disputes.
With information from RFI
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2025/02/18/kremlin-manda-recado-a-zelensky-e-diz-que-putin-ainda-esta-disposto-a-negociar-o-fim-da-guerra/
