Part 8/13:
Meanwhile, international diplomacy is also at a critical juncture. This week saw U.S. and Russian delegations meet in Saudi Arabia for discussions aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Notably, Ukraine was excluded from these talks, prompting questions about the real prospects for a durable peace.
Riad Meetings and the Stakes Ahead
Steve Yates from the Heritage Foundation highlights that the Saudi negotiations seem more "temperature-taking" and "scenariopreview" rather than a decisive breakthrough. The discussions reflect a "testing the waters" approach, with both sides wary yet open to small steps, especially given Russia’s confidence in its bargaining position.