RE: Putin speaking on the Riyadh talks19 Feb 2025 19:03
Take out the emotion folks.
Trump assembled a large team and an all hands at to the pump approach to get peace in Ukraine.
One contingent under Keith Kellog is dealing with Ukraine and was at Munich and he is now in Ukraine right now, and spending a lot more that the 4 hours time spent negotiating in Riyadh. Ukraine now have undivided attention and ample opportunity to covey their own perspective, red lines and where there is scope for discussion and compromise.
Another contingent (Rubio, Witkoff, et al) are dealing with the Russians.
Mr Zelenski has got peeved off that Rubio met with the Russians first, without Ukraine present. (In fairness Putin has explained part reasoning) Unfortunately imho for his part Zelenski has gone and publicly levelled criticism at Presdient Trump. Bad move for a) he has prompted a pointed response from Trump, perhaps with some valid points, some perhaps not. But also b) because you should never bite the hand that feeds you (Billions of dollars of US Munitions, Air Defence systems, Intelligence has been channeled to Ukraine).
Over to Keith Kellog to get what he was despatched to Ukraine for, to gain the Ukranian perspective, (and to defuse the situation). His comments btw from earlier today as he arrived in Ukraine.
“My mission is to sit and listen and say, what are your concerns, … then go back to the US, talk to president Trump, secretary Rubio and the rest of the team, and just ensure that we get this one right,” he says.
There will be plenty side shows, red herrings and commentators and press and media twists on events thrown into the mix as this progresses and many opinions either way but from FXPO's perspective ceasefires and peace deals are what we are ultimately after. Phone calls between leaders and Face to Face meet between Trump, Zelenski and Putin are all potential steps in the right direction.
Have a good evening.