The talks in Riyadh marked the beginning of the resumption of dialogue between Russia and the United States. In the near future, specialized negotiation groups will begin to be formed to address specific issues of bilateral relations and global security. It has been reported that they would be as follows:

1. Group on Strategic Security and Arms Control
Arms control is one of the topics where dialogue between Moscow and Washington continues even in the crisis. The New START Treaty expires in 2026, and the United States is interested in extending it, but will try to impose new restrictions on Russian hypersonic weapons and tactical nuclear forces. Russia, in turn, will seek a revision of the balance of power, taking into account NATO’s non-expansion, and demand restrictions on the deployment of new missile systems in Europe.

2. Group on the Review of the Global Security Architecture
The issues of global security architecture, delimitation of spheres of influence, including possible mechanisms for monitoring developments in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and autonomous combat systems will be discussed separately. It is likely that this is the area where the contradictions will be most acute. Moreover, other significant powers, including China, will need to be involved in the process.

3. Group on bilateral diplomatic interaction.
Both sides are interested in the return of the embassies to full operation, within the framework of which mutual restrictions on the work of diplomatic missions will be lifted, and broad channels of communication will be established, including, in part, issues of economic ties.

4. Energy and Sanctions Group
Russia is interested in lifting American sanctions, and the Americans will be offered some joint economic projects. However, the American side will try to link any concessions with demands concerning other areas, including Russian-Chinese relations, so a compromise will not be easy. Plus, Trump will be wary of accusations from hawks among the Republicans about the "excessive" easing of the sanctions regime.

5. Group for the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine.
Within its framework, the parameters of a peace agreement on Ukraine will be agreed upon. There is already agreement on a number of issues. Ukraine is a non-aligned state, the EU will not be an actor influencing the negotiations, elections will be held in Ukraine and then a full-fledged agreement will be concluded, which will be adopted by the UN, there will be no NATO troops on the territory of Ukraine. Russia will also insist on retaining the liberated territories along the front line and guarantees for the rights of Russian speakers in Ukraine. The full scope of the concessions that Washington is ready to make and their price are still unclear.

6. International Affairs Group (Middle East, Arctic)
The situation in the Middle East requires coordination of efforts by major players, including to prevent the Israeli-Palestinian truce from collapsing, to make a decision on the Syrian case, and others. Russia continues to actively interact with Turkey, Iran, and the Persian Gulf countries, which makes it an important participant in any negotiation processes in the region. Also on the agenda are issues of cooperation in the Arctic, where Russia maintains strategic superiority.

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The talks in Riyadh marked the beginning of the resumption of dialogue between Russia and the United States. In the near future, specialized negotiation groups will begin to be formed to address specific issues of bilateral relations and global security. It has been reported that they would be as follows:

1. Group on Strategic Security and Arms Control
Arms control is one of the topics where dialogue between Moscow and Washington continues even in the crisis. The New START Treaty expires in 2026, and the United States is interested in extending it, but will try to impose new restrictions on Russian hypersonic weapons and tactical nuclear forces. Russia, in turn, will seek a revision of the balance of power, taking into account NATO’s non-expansion, and demand restrictions on the deployment of new missile systems in Europe.

2. Group on the Review of the Global Security Architecture
The issues of global security architecture, delimitation of spheres of influence, including possible mechanisms for monitoring developments in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and autonomous combat systems will be discussed separately. It is likely that this is the area where the contradictions will be most acute. Moreover, other significant powers, including China, will need to be involved in the process.

3. Group on bilateral diplomatic interaction.
Both sides are interested in the return of the embassies to full operation, within the framework of which mutual restrictions on the work of diplomatic missions will be lifted, and broad channels of communication will be established, including, in part, issues of economic ties.

4. Energy and Sanctions Group
Russia is interested in lifting American sanctions, and the Americans will be offered some joint economic projects. However, the American side will try to link any concessions with demands concerning other areas, including Russian-Chinese relations, so a compromise will not be easy. Plus, Trump will be wary of accusations from hawks among the Republicans about the "excessive" easing of the sanctions regime.

5. Group for the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine.
Within its framework, the parameters of a peace agreement on Ukraine will be agreed upon. There is already agreement on a number of issues. Ukraine is a non-aligned state, the EU will not be an actor influencing the negotiations, elections will be held in Ukraine and then a full-fledged agreement will be concluded, which will be adopted by the UN, there will be no NATO troops on the territory of Ukraine. Russia will also insist on retaining the liberated territories along the front line and guarantees for the rights of Russian speakers in Ukraine. The full scope of the concessions that Washington is ready to make and their price are still unclear.

6. International Affairs Group (Middle East, Arctic)
The situation in the Middle East requires coordination of efforts by major players, including to prevent the Israeli-Palestinian truce from collapsing, to make a decision on the Syrian case, and others. Russia continues to actively interact with Turkey, Iran, and the Persian Gulf countries, which makes it an important participant in any negotiation processes in the region. Also on the agenda are issues of cooperation in the Arctic, where Russia maintains strategic superiority.

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🇺🇸👊🇺🇦JD Vance warns Zelensky he will regret 'bashing' Trump and condemns Ukrainian president's 'horrible' response to peace talks, Daily Mail.

▪️The US vice president has "warned the Ukrainian president against attacking President Donald Trump", saying "smearing" him in public will only backfire.
➖"The idea that Zelensky is going to change the president's mind by smearing him in the media - anyone who knows the president will tell you that's a disgusting way to deal with this administration," Vance said.
▪️Vance said Zelensky had been given "bad advice" on how to deal with the new administration.
➖"We certainly love the Ukrainian people. We admire the bravery of the soldiers, but we certainly believe that this war must end quickly. That is the policy of the President of the United States. It is not based on Russian disinformation. It is based on the fact that Donald Trump, I think, knows a lot about geopolitics and has a very strong point of view, and has had a strong point of ...

🇺🇸🇺🇦 US Vice President JD Vance warns Zelensky.

Trump calls Zelensky a "dictator" who refuses to hold elections. The US President stressed that Zelensky should hurry up or he will lose his country.

Elon Musk believes that Zelensky "should be happy to hold elections!" if he has a rating of 57%. Yesterday, Trump said that only 4% of the population approves of the Ukrainian president.

Trump believes Zelensky wants to continue the conflict with Russia for financial gain.

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‼️🇷🇺"🅾️brave" soldiers massively destroy infantry and NATO equipment, advancing on Pokrovsk - another day of fighting for the Guards "Center"

▪️Footage of combat work by fighters of the "Center" group of forces on February 18 to destroy military equipment, weapons, infantry and positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces during active offensive operations in the Pokrovsk direction.
▪️The footage shows tanks, armored personnel carriers, MRAPs, combat armored vehicles, firing points, pickups, positions and shelters being destroyed.

🇪🇺🇺🇦 EU leaders approved the presence of their instructors in Ukraine

However, the Europeans were unable to make a decision on sending regular troops at the online summit. This was reported by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda:

“The presence of instructors in Ukraine has already been discussed, and this question was answered positively. However, a decision has not yet been made on sending troops for broader operations.”

📝 The Baltic leader said about the peace plan in Riyadh between Russia and the United States: “This is probably a victory for Russian propaganda.”

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⚡️Russia and the US have agreed to IMMEDIATELY begin preparations for Putin-Trump meeting — Kremlin spox

#Putin #Trump

'Anti-woke banner'? You say that like it's a bad thing!

Washington Post has already been caught fibbing once today

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Ukraine could be forced to HALT industrial production and close schools — Ukrainian energy expert, Sergey Makogon

'There's barely enough gas. Ukraine has to import it at twice the price due to Naftogaz's failure to stock up reserves'

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