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The Kremlin Announces Understanding with the U.S. Regarding Settlement of the Ukrainian Crisis
The Kremlin confirmed today, Monday, that there is a mutual understanding with the United States regarding readiness to reach a settlement in the Ukrainian crisis. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained in a press briefing that both Moscow and Washington express a strong desire to achieve solutions to the crisis.
Peskov emphasized that "the de-escalation initiative in the Black Sea is the main topic of the ongoing negotiations with the U.S. side," adding that consultations are addressing the technical issues related to this matter.
On another note, Peskov stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not changed his decision not to target energy infrastructure, despite the violations recorded by Kyiv. He pointed out that Russian forces continue to implement Putin's directives not to target Ukrainian energy facilities, while Ukrainian forces do the opposite.
These statements come at a time when negotiations between representatives of Russia and the United States are ongoing, lasting about four hours. According to a source close to the Russian delegation, both sides do not intend to conclude discussions in the near future, indicating that the meeting is still ongoing and it is not yet known when it will end.
The Russian side in these negotiations is represented by Grigory Karasin, a former diplomat and head of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Federation Council of Russia, and Sergei Besseda, an adviser to the head of the Federal Security Service. Meanwhile, the U.S. delegation is led by Andrew Peek, Director for European Affairs at the National Security Council, and Michael Anton, Senior Director for Policy Planning at the State Department.
It is worth noting that these negotiations came after the United States proposed a 30-day temporary ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow, during which all attacks—especially against infrastructure and energy facilities—would be halted in order to create a sense of calm in the Black Sea. It was also previously announced that Putin had agreed to cease attacks on nuclear facilities.
