U.S.-Russia Talks Begin: Moscow Pours Cold Water On Expectations, Says No Territorial Concessions in

[mystery-ak]

U.S.-Russia Talks Begin: Moscow Pours Cold Water On Expectations, Says No Territorial Concessions in Pre-Negotiation Positioning

Oliver JJ Lane 18 Feb 2025

Marco Rubio and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov have met for talks on the future of the Ukraine war, but even before sitting down, Russia made clear it was approaching things with a hard bargaining mindset.

Images of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, flanked by America’s Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and sitting opposite Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and President Putin’s advisor Yuri Ushakov have been published as talks begin on Tuesday morning.

It is the first high-level talks between the U.S. and Russia since Moscow launched a second invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago. The talks are taking place at the Al Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and are being mediated by Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. They are not intended to find answers for the Ukraine War directly but rather to create an environment where, later, the U.S. and Russian Presidents can meet face-to-face for real negotiations.



more
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2025/02/18/u-s-russia-talks-begin-moscow-pours-cold-water-on-expectations-says-no-territorial-concessions-in-pre-negotiation-positioning/

[DefiantMassRINO]

Russia?  Saudi Arabia?  ... two untrustworthy Governments, two enemies of the United States, and two energy producers that collude to keep energy prices artificically high or flood the market with cheap oil to put American energy producers out of business.

[mystery-ak]

https://twitter.com/BreitbartNews/status/1891856435400556790

[ironhorsedriver]

Now maybe I’m simple, but, how can you have peace talks, but exclude one of the only two countries. Doesn’t Ukraine have a say in their war?

[bigheadfred]

Now maybe I’m simple, but, how can you have peace talks, but exclude one of the only two countries. Doesn’t Ukraine have a say in their war?

I think if they can convince the Russians to leave Ukraine the Ukrainians will go with that..

[mystery-ak]

BREAKING NEWSFurious Zelensky warns he will never accept Putin's 'ultimatums' as he lashes out at US-Russia peace talks held 'behind Ukraine's back' and scraps Saudi Arabia visit

By ELENA SALVONI

Published: 11:29 EST, 18 February 2025 | Updated: 11:41 EST, 18 February 2025

Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine will never give in to Vladimir Putin's 'ultimatums' and has cancelled a visit to Saudi Arabia as he hit out at the United States and Russia for holding talks there 'behind our backs'.

'I wonder why they believe Ukraine would accept all these ultimatums now if we refused them at the most difficult moment,' the Ukrainian President said, referring to Kyiv's refusal to bow to Moscow's demands during crisis talks at the start of the war.

Zelensky pointed out that there were 'no agreements with the Russians during the occupation of Kyiv region,' nor during negotiations in Belarus or Turkey.

Moscow at the time called for a reduction in the number of Ukrainian troops, recognition of occupied Ukrainian territories as part of Russia, and the appointment of a pro-Russian government in Kyiv.

'As President of Ukraine, I have never given any guarantees to anyone or confirmed anything. Moreover, I have never intended to accept Russia's ultimatums. And I am not going to,' Zelensky said.

more
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14409691/Zelensky-never-accept-Putin-ultimatum-Russia-peace-Ukraine-Saudi-Arabia.html

[Canuck Conservative]

Russia?  Saudi Arabia?  ... two untrustworthy Governments, two enemies of the United States

Amazing how these two have been able to soften their public image ...

Russia has invaded 3 sovereign countries without any provocation, Putin and his ministers are wanted for war crimes, yet they get treated as a normal country, even welcomed ... Hitler could only dream of being treated this nicely!

Saudi Arabia financed 9-11, a direct attack on the United States (including a failed attempt to destroy the Pentagon!!), yet they are now warmly greeted as "a friend"

"Bizarro World"

[catfish1957]

Russia?  Saudi Arabia?  ... two untrustworthy Governments, two enemies of the United States, and two energy producers that collude to keep energy prices artificically high or flood the market with cheap oil to put American energy producers out of business.

Naww.....  I'm from oil, and as long as we stay above $40-45/bbl WTI crude benchmark, we'll be okay.

Russia OTOH, will collapse.  And even as a stockholder, i can live with a little pain, if that is the result.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Saudi Arabia financed 9-11, a direct attack on the United States (including a failed attempt to destroy the Pentagon!!), yet they are now warmly greeted as "a friend"

As Germany is by Israel.

[Wingnut]

As Germany is by Israel.

I love it when you go off in the weeds.

[Right_in_Virginia]

I love it when you go off in the weeds.

I love how you follow 

[The_Reader_David]

Hitler could only dream of being treated this nicely!

He was until he invaded Poland.  The Nazis invaded Austria and Czechoslovakia and Hitler was still treated as a "normal" leader, even though Churchill understood he was not, of course he at that point was an obnoxious backbencher no one wanted to listen to, still vilified for the Admiralty's failure to stick to the plan at Gallipoli. 

[catfish1957]

When Putin realizes that after oil goes down to $40/bbl, that the Rouble will racing toward old Zimbawe standards. 

Then he'll budge.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Russia?  Saudi Arabia?  ... two untrustworthy Governments, two enemies of the United States, and two energy producers that collude to keep energy prices artificically high or flood the market with cheap oil to put American energy producers out of business.

  Might you have a list of energy producers who do not collude to keep prices artificially high?

Here's a helpful list of the biggest ones.


Oh, and Saudi Arabia is not our enemy.  They have been our reliable supplier over most of their 75 years of producing oil, necessary for the US to enjoy its current standard of living.

[berdie]

He was until he invaded Poland.  The Nazis invaded Austria and Czechoslovakia and Hitler was still treated as a "normal" leader, even though Churchill understood he was not, of course he at that point was an obnoxious backbencher no one wanted to listen to, still vilified for the Admiralty's failure to stick to the plan at Gallipoli.

Sometimes, often, history repeats itself.