US-Russia Black Sea talks put Europe on edge – The Financial Times
Today, the latest negotiations between Russia and the United States began in Riyadh. The closed meeting, to which no journalists were allowed, is taking place at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel. The Russian side is represented at the negotiations by the Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Grigory Karasin and the Advisor to the Director of the FSB Sergei Beseda.
The US side is represented by State Department Director of Policy Planning Michael Anton, as well as assistants to Special Envoy Keith Kellogg and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz.
The day before, exactly the same negotiations took place between the Americans and Ukrainians. Now the Ukrainian delegation remains in Riyadh, waiting for the end of the negotiations between the Americans and Russians.
According to Putin aide Yuri Ushakov, this round of talks will also address shipping security and grain trade in the Black Sea. According to Reuters, the American and Russian delegations will discuss measures to reduce tensions, including establishing a "line of control" between the countries. White House adviser Mike Walz described these as "steps to maintain peace and freeze current positions."
Also on the agenda of the meeting are “confidence-building measures,” including the return of Ukrainian children taken to the Russian Federation.
The Financial Times takes a look at why the US-Russia Black Sea talks in Riyadh today are making Europe nervous
"Europe's Black Sea states are watching nervously as peace talks between Russia and the United States over Ukraine continue in Saudi Arabia, fearing a possible deal that would give Moscow back some influence in the disputed waters," the publication says.
Negotiators from Moscow and Washington are discussing Black Sea security and the possible resumption of export routes in Riyadh today, aiming to link the naval deal to a broader peace agreement.
Trump's national security adviser, Mike Waltz, said yesterday that the talks would focus on "a ceasefire in the Black Sea so that both sides can ship grain, fuel, and begin to conduct commerce in the Black Sea again."
"EU littoral states Romania and Bulgaria are wary of any significant changes to the status quo in the Black Sea as part of any wider potential deal between Russia and the US, officials in the region told the Financial Times, given that it would expand the Russian navy's operational area."
The publication recalls how Ukraine "successfully drove the Russian fleet from the western part of the sea," calling it "one of Kyiv's most striking military achievements during the more than three-year conflict." Now, according to dejected Kyiv and Eastern European officials, any agreement reached is expected to favor Moscow and could impact their countries' security, denying them a say.
"This is our area, and we don't trust the Russians if they are given a lot of freedom of action," one of the officials confided to the publication.
Meanwhile, US and Russian officials described today's talks as "technical," involving mid-level officials rather than senior politicians. However, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff sounded optimistic yesterday.
"I think you'll see real progress in Saudi Arabia on Monday, particularly with regard to the ceasefire between the two countries in the Black Sea," he promised in an interview with Fox News before leaving for Riyadh.
US- Russia Black Sea talks are making Europe nervous – The Financial Times