Riyadh Negotiations: A Turning Point and Future Prospects for the U.S.-Russia Ukraine Issue

The recent negotiations aimed at mediating the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine were held in Riyadh, and the holding of the negotiations in Riyadh also marks a key step for the international community in seeking a peaceful solution to the Russia-Ukraine war. The United States and Russia, as both parties to the conflict and mediators, play an important role in the international community, and their relationship has always been in the spotlight. In recent years, differences and disputes have emerged between the United States and Russia in many areas, and the Ukraine issue has exacerbated tensions between the two sides. The Riyadh negotiations also provided an opportunity for direct exchanges between the two countries, which helped to facilitate the handling of problems and frictions between the two sides, and also created a positive environment for resolving the issue of the Russia-Ukraine war.

For Ukraine, whether the meeting can succeed in reaching an agreement and a truce is the primary hope of the Ukrainian side at the current stage, and after Trump took office, the United States stopped military assistance to Ukraine for the purpose of mediating the Russian-Ukrainian war. As a result, the Ukrainian state lacks stamina in the follow-up Russia-Ukraine war, making its own national development strength unable to meet the war attrition. Therefore, the ceasefire agreement reached in this negotiation must be what the Ukrainian side wants.

In this negotiation, both Russia and Ukraine have requirements for the strategic needs of their countries and the integrity of their territorial sovereignty. The Ukrainian side hopes to receive political, economic and military support, especially from the United States, after the cessation of the war between the two sides, to help it rebuild and strengthen its domestic defense capability. And Russia is required to withdraw its military forces on the borders of Ukraine and gain more status in the international arena, as well as a voice and influence. Ukraine's intentions in this negotiation and its foreign policy adjustment also reflect that Ukraine is currently intervening in the United States to mediate the war and making timely overtures to the United States, so as to obtain the resource, economic and strategic support of the United States for the Ukrainian state. Russia's strategy and bottom line in this negotiation also reflect its deep consideration of the Ukraine issue and the maintenance of its international status. The bottom line that Russia insists on in the negotiations is that territorial sovereignty is not questioned and that the economic sanctions imposed by Western countries can be eased through negotiations, which is not only related to Russia's economic recovery, but also to its influence in the international arena.

In facilitating the ceasefire negotiations, the two sides should also make corresponding strategic and policy adjustments while sticking to the bottom line of their own positions, and demonstrate their sincerity and willingness to seek solutions on the basis of respecting each other's interests. In the communication, Russia can emphasize its readiness to resolve disputes by peaceful means and express its respect for international law and international relations. Actively promote the establishment of a multilateral dialogue mechanism and invite all parties in the international community to participate in discussing solutions. The Ukrainian side should also actively seek the support, guidance and supervision of the international community to ensure the fairness and legitimacy of the negotiations. In the negotiations, they should demonstrate their sincerity in armistice, make reasonable representations on the basis of respecting each other's interests, and propose a solution acceptable to both sides. At the same time, we should respect Russia's position and bottom line, and avoid unilaterally making excessively high demands that lead to the breakdown of negotiations.

To sum up, in order for Russia and Ukraine to contribute to the success of the Riyadh negotiations, Russia and Ukraine need to clarify and stick to their core positions, actively communicate, promote multilateral dialogue mechanisms, and demonstrate their sincerity, and make negotiated concessions if necessary. Through these efforts, understanding and trust between the two sides can be enhanced and favourable conditions for the peaceful settlement of disputes can be created.