Ukraine and the United States are negotiating in Saudi Arabia today on Tuesday.
Today, Ukraine and the United States are discussing the mineral agreement between the countries and the road towards the end of the Russian offensive war. Discussions take place in Jedda, Saudi.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyi your trip to Jedda yesterday Monday and met Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
However, Zelensky is not expected to participate in negotiations with the United States.
“The less you see in the media about this big discussion, the better it is going,” says CMI’s senior expert Mikko Patokallio In the morning of the above.
According to Patokallio, it is simply a good thing if the negotiations go smoothly and calmly, and not in the past.
Saudi Arabia is acceptable for both
Discussions take place in Saudi Arabia, as Patokallio says it is considered a wide place that could serve as a home for discussions between Ukraine and Russia.
Also assistant professor Katri Pynnöniemi The University of Helsinki and the National Defense College says that the place is acceptable for both parties.
– The presence of Zelensky’s “Peace Formula” preparation process is a good basis for these discussions, Pynnöniemi estimates.
Mineral agreement is not a “magic card”
The United States has suggested that Ukraine has to sign a mineral agreement if it wants to move forward with the United States in negotiations.
Pynnöniemi estimates that in previous negotiations on the Agreement, it was modified for Ukraine’s acceptable version before the signature itself went.
– Sure, it’s not a magic button or a magic card to solve things. It is probably a way of binding the United States to support Ukraine somewhat, says Pynnöniemi.
At the same time, it may be a way to tighten Ukraine to that unfavorable solution.
– There has been a taste of blackmail and severe pressure, says Pynnöniemi of negotiations on the mineral agreement.
The United States received criticism from its allies when it also negotiated directly with Russia at the Foreign Minister’s meeting hosted by Saudi Arabia on 18 February.
Ukraine was not invited to this meeting.