Tensions Arise Between the US and Europe/ New Challenges in Ukraine Peace Negotiations

According to Negaheno report one of the most important events that could bring forth a new trend for international negotiations over the war on Ukraine is the holding of a key meeting between foreign ministers of the US and Russian Federation located in Riyadh hosted by the Saudi Arabia which is the first direct negotiation between USA and Russian officials since the beginning of the war on Ukraine.

At the meeting which was held without a representative from Ukraine certain areas were discussed including conditions for ending the war, security agreements and the need to overcome the dispute as part of the agenda. However, Ukraine’s absence at the meeting has led to new tensions within the international relations that is followed by strong reactions by the Europeans.

US and Russia’s main agreement in Riyadh; a turning point in the peace talks

 At the meeting, the US and Russia have stressed on some key areas that could leave great impact on the future of the war on Ukraine. One of the major agreements was to focus on Ukraine’s border security and reevaluating the status of the military forces in the conflict zones.

Russia continues to emphasize on protecting its controlled areas in the east of Ukraine in particular, in Donbas and Novorossiya and demands guarantee on its security in those areas. The US on the other hand, is after pushing Russia to accept a ceasefire and to begin negotiations on returning to the prewar conditions.

Although the negotiations are considered as a first step on the route to a wider dialoguing but due to absence of Ukraine from the very beginning it is faced with some challenges.

 Challenges facing Europe and the USA: Western integrity is at risk

 The recent changes mainly regarding the war on Ukraine and the decision to end this crisis have taken place but one of its most important features is the challenges that is created between the USA and Europe relations. While the US led by Trump is after accelerating negotiations with Russia, Europe continues to emphasize on Ukraine’s sovereignty and its participation in the process of the negotiations. These differences could lead to weakening the West’s synergy against Russia and other global events.

A question now raised and after the recent changes regarding the war on Ukraine is that will Europe be capable of protecting its status as a key player within Ukraine’s peace talks or the US would lead the way alone? This is the question that would be answered in the future months.