dw.com
US-Russia Talks on Ukraine Exclude Kyiv
On February 18, 2025, U.S. and Russian officials will meet in Riyadh to discuss the Ukraine war, excluding Ukraine; the meeting aims to restore U.S.-Russia relations and explore a resolution, possibly involving a Trump-Putin summit, despite Ukrainian President Zelensky's rejection of any deal without his country's involvement.
- What are the immediate implications of the U.S.-Russia meeting in Riyadh, excluding Ukraine from negotiations?
- On February 18, 2025, U.S. and Russian delegations will meet in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to discuss the war in Ukraine. This is the first meeting between the two countries since the start of the invasion, without Ukraine's participation. The meeting will focus on restoring U.S.-Russia relations and exploring potential negotiations for a resolution in Ukraine, potentially involving a Trump-Putin summit.
- What are the potential consequences of a U.S.-Russia agreement on the war in Ukraine without Ukraine's participation?
- The Saudi-brokered meeting between the U.S. and Russia excludes Ukraine, raising concerns about a potential agreement reached without Kyiv's consent. President Zelensky has explicitly rejected any deal made without Ukraine's involvement. A leaked "100-day peace plan," reportedly involving a ceasefire and territorial concessions from Ukraine, fuels skepticism about the meeting's potential outcomes.
- What are the long-term risks and potential impacts of a negotiated settlement that might involve territorial concessions from Ukraine?
- The planned meeting risks undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and could exacerbate existing tensions. Experts warn that a deal reached without Ukraine's participation could lead to an unsustainable peace, potentially reigniting conflict. The potential for a Trump-Putin meeting raises further concerns about possible concessions that disadvantage Ukraine and its allies.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing emphasizes the strategic advantage for Russia, highlighting expert opinions that portray the meeting as a success for Russia, even without Ukrainian involvement. The headline and introduction could be perceived as leaning towards this perspective. The article also gives significant weight to the unconfirmed '100-day plan,' potentially overemphasizing its significance.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral but certain phrases could be interpreted as subtly favoring one side. For example, describing the meeting as a "strategic movement favorable for Russia" presents an interpretation rather than a purely neutral description. Similarly, the phrase "Trump wants to quickly get the Russia/Ukraine issue off his plate" presents a subjective interpretation of Trump's motives.
Bias by Omission
The article omits mentioning potential alternative perspectives on the US-Russia meeting, such as those from other involved nations or international organizations. The lack of direct quotes from Ukrainian officials beyond Zelinsky's statement limits the representation of Ukrainian views. The article also omits details about the "100-day plan" beyond what Strana.today reported, not including confirmation or denial from other sources.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat false dichotomy by focusing primarily on the US-Russia meeting and the potential '100-day plan,' creating an impression that these are the only paths to resolving the conflict. This overshadows other potential approaches or ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Sustainable Development Goals
The secret meeting between US and Russian representatives in Saudi Arabia to discuss the war in Ukraine without Ukrainian participation undermines international norms of conflict resolution and may lead to an unfair peace agreement detrimental to Ukraine. This negatively impacts the goal of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development. The potential agreement, according to leaks, involves territorial concessions from Ukraine and ignores its sovereignty, directly contradicting the principles of justice and strong institutions.