On February 23 local time, it was reported that the preparations for a meeting between the Russian leader and the US leader have begun. In addition, some details of the second round of Russia-US talks were also revealed on the same day.
1. Where will the second round of Russia-US talks be held?
It was revealed on February 23 local time that Russia and the US will hold the next round of talks on the Ukraine issue in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, which is also the place where the two sides held their first round of talks on the 18th.
It was stated that the participants will not be deputy - level officials but heads of various departments. This means that the level of officials attending this round of talks will be lower than that of the previous one. It is reported that the adjustment of the level may be to handle specific issues more effectively.
2. How are the preparations for the leaders' meeting progressing?
A statement about the meeting between the Russian and US leaders was released on the 23rd. It was said that the preparations for the meeting between the two leaders are extremely intensive and have already started. The Riyadh talks are an important and key part of this work.
It was emphasized that both sides are working hard to normalize bilateral relations and find ways to resolve the most urgent and potentially dangerous situations, one of which is the Ukraine issue. Currently, the preparations for the leaders' meeting are still in the initial stage.
3. What have Russia and the US recently said?
The White House: Confident in completing the negotiations this week. On February 22 local time, the US White House press secretary said that the US leader and his team are focused on continuing negotiations with Russia and Ukraine to end the conflict, and the US leader is confident that the negotiations can be completed this week.
The Russian leader: Russia is ready to return to the negotiation table on the Ukraine issue. On February 19 local time, the Russian leader said in St. Petersburg that Russia is ready to return to the negotiation table on the Ukraine issue.
It was also said on the same day that the negotiations on the Ukraine issue will involve both Russia and Ukraine, and no one will exclude Ukraine from the negotiation process.
4. The first Russia-US talks "went well". The Russian and US delegations held talks in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, on February 18. This was the first high - level meeting between the two sides after the phone call between the US and Russian leaders.
The US Secretary of State said after the talks that the US and Russia reached four points of consensus on resolving "thorny issues" between the two countries and ending the conflict. The Russian presidential assistant said after the talks that the negotiations went well. He also said that regarding the Ukraine issue, the representatives of the two countries are about to enter separate group negotiations, but it is not yet certain who will be in them. In addition, it is currently difficult to determine the specific date of the leaders' meeting.
