The US can agree with the Russian Federation even without a truce with Ukraine - The New York Times

" However, for President Vladimir Putin, negotiations on ceasefire with the United States are a means of achieving much broader goals, writes The New York Times. According to Russian analysts, Moscow seeks to get maximum benefits from Trump's desire to conclude a peace agreement, even if the negotiation process is delayed. Improving relations with Washington is regarded as an important economic and strategic goal that can be achieved even with the preservation of hostilities in Ukraine.

On Monday, Saudi Arabia held a meeting of Russian and US representatives, which discussed the technical aspects of partial ceasefire, including the cessation of attacks on energy infrastructure and navigation in the Black Sea. However, Moscow continues to achieve wider concessions from the event.

As recent interviews from Russian politicians at the Raisina Dialogue conference in New Delhi have shown, the Kremlin divides negotiations on Ukraine and relations with the United States into two separate directions. Deputy Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Nikonov emphasized that "Ukraine goes in turn. " For Russian President Vladimir Putin, it is more important to establish interaction with Washington.

Moscow is counting on economic benefits, including the possible removal of sanctions for the supply of spare parts for Boeing aircraft and weakening NATO positions in Europe. At the same time, it remains unclear whether Trump will be able to use these expectations as a pressure lever on Moscow for a better agreement on Ukraine. According to experts, the Kremlin seeks to produce a "roadmap" for a larger agreement before going to a real ceasefire.

The possibility of introducing the UN peacekeeping forces is considered, but with the condition that NATO troops are absence. The Russian authorities also signal the readiness for negotiations in the field of aviation and economic relations. In particular, the possibility of abolishing the US from the list of "unfriendly countries" is considered, which can facilitate the activities of US companies in Russia.

We will remind that in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, negotiations between the United States and the Russian Federation on peace in Ukraine began on March 24. The parties plan to discuss the "control line" between the two countries, as well as "confidence -strengthening measures", including the return of Russian children stolen by Russia. We will add that on Sunday, March 23, a meeting of the US and Ukraine delegation was held in Riyadh.