Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said Sunday that US and Russian officials will hold another round of talks on improving relations sometime over the next week.
“We are open to contacts with the American side, in particular, to address the irritants in bilateral relations. We expect real progress when the meeting scheduled for the end of the coming week takes place,” Ryabkov said, according to RT.
During high-level talks in Saudi Arabia on February 18, the US and Russia agreed to take steps to normalize diplomatic relations and to work to end the war in Ukraine. Ryabkov said there are now “quite a lot of contacts” between the two countries.
President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to meet in person soon, but it’s unclear when that might happen. Both leaders invited the other to visit their respective countries when they spoke on the phone earlier this month, but the first summit will likely happen in a third country.
It remains unclear what sort of deal could be reached to end the war in Ukraine. The Trump administration has acknowledged that two of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s main demands — Ukrainian NATO membership and a return to pre-2014 borders — are unrealistic, but so far, the Ukrainian leader doesn’t seem willing to make significant concessions.
In the meantime, the fighting in Ukraine continues to rage along the frontlines, and Russia continues to launch heavy bombardments. On Sunday, the Ukrainian military said Russia fired a “record” 267 drones into Ukraine overnight.
… And when the Actions come to play…?!
"More Talks" to plan "More Talks." Reminds me of Ross Perot describing the American lettuce inspection process when it arrives in Japan. …You know. They leave the lettuce out until it rots!? …No!? Dude I know. We didn't have YouTube or TikTok then.
Russia isn't getting serious vibes from US "plans" for Ukraine. Trump wants just another ceasefire, Russia wants a full peace deal with strong guarantees: https://www.rt.com/russia/613238-russia-us-peace-plan/
Russia may have to illustrate to US what they want in order for US to comprehend…! Otherwise US may not get it…!
They’ve been saying it all the time:
1. Denazification / de-NATOization of all Ukraine, end of the Maidan Regime and the nazi deep state puppeteered by NATO (USA primarily)
2. Strict neutrality for Ukraine (which may include demilitarization of parts of the country and/or reduction of its army and definitely no NATO troops of any kind).
3. Recognition of annexations (now 5 oblasts, tomorrow maybe more: they aim to annex Kharkov and Odessa for sure if the war goes on).
That’s the Russian baseline for peace and they’re not going to end the so-called “special military operation” until they get them (with whatever lesser polished corners, I guess). It may take many years or maybe it’ll happen in 2015, they are patient and strongly distrust the West after being shamelessly betrayed in previous deals. They have nukes, lots of them, they also have “rare and valuable minerals” (many more than Ukraine), they cannot be coerced: they can only be acknowledged in their demands, which they consider legitimate.
“Strict neutrality” means “going back to being a Russian imperial satrapy instead of being a US/EU/NATO imperial satrapy.”
As for the annexations, “give me what I’ve been trying and failing to take for three years now and I pinky promise to stop trying to take stuff and throwing a tantrum when I fail” isn’t a very strong bargaining position.
Yes… Obviously stating the above points has not work…! So, US needs a physical illustration as I said above… Like a Hollywood type video, charts, pictures… etc….!
Well, I’m sure Bollywood can make a musical about that. I hate musicals but I’d watch that one, really.
If a go, it won't be musical… rather something serious…something that relates to US public opinion including the politicians whom referenced Hollywood movies…!
I just suggested at the Lee Camp's show chat to make a comedy with (ex-)President Zombie, President Demon and Dog(e) Kid Sidekick as main characters. One says "braaaains!" and tries to find the exit without luck unil a handler comes by, the other yells with a high pitched voice emerging from a small mouth that seems to be trying to kiss the camera: "I want Greenland!, I want Canada!, I want Panama!" and "I want the all the rare earths of Earth!"
As for the sidekick, I think Di Caprio already embodied him in some movie about the un-happy 20s, something about crypto and coke, or whatever, maybe it was railroads and newspapers, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. He probably died in the Titanic, which was not made of titanium but we can change that for better comedic effect (please suggest something on Ukraine's unsinkable Titanium yatch and how it was all sunk near Greenland because global warming was fake or whatever). Anyway, they're all undead, so they can't really die and always come back for the next show even if they seem to die.
Better than Bollywood for our taste, I believe.
PS – More ideas:
President Demon impersonates Freddy Mercury singing "I want it all… and I want it nooooow!"
Dogie Kid the Sidekick gestures involuntarily like Dr. Strangelove…
For the first time ever, top US officials have contradicted the main dogmas around Ukraine head-on and been quoted in a major publication doing it. Russia was provoked, and finger pointing about who is a dictator and who was aggressive is not productive.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/23/trump-russia-ukraine
This is a great development.
I wonder why those leftists Biden and Blinken never did this?
Leftists? Leftists don't support genocides, leftists hate Israel!
That's how far right we, the US, have become. Democrats are considered "leftists".
Russia doesn’t understand Trump’s Ukraine ‘peace plan’ – deputy FM
Moscow has lauded Washington’s willingness to push for a ceasefire, but any agreement must be based on long-term solutions, Ryabkov has said .
https://www.rt.com/russia/613238-russia-us-peace-plan/
“We have not gained any further understanding. However, we can confidently note the US side’s desire to push for a swift ceasefire,” Ryabkov said. He stressed, however, that a ceasefire without a long-term settlement would only lead to a “quick resumption of hostilities and an even more severe conflict.”
Russia wants to avoid such a scenario, the diplomat said, adding that the solution must address the root causes of the conflict, such as Kiev’s aspirations to join NATO and its policies regarding the Russian-speaking Donbass region.
Then he doesn't understand Trump.
No need: they’re in no hurry to peace out. The only ones suffering from the war (almost) are Western allies: Europe particularly but also the USA because it’s projection of near-omnipotence is being shattered and even the US dollar is in danger (only sustained by China’s interested passivity). Russia countered the sanctions masterfully (Niebulina would be my idol if I was more invested in macroeconomics, really), they do suffer somewhat (wars are always costly for all and they’re losing some business opportunities) but they have it all under control (or so they believe).
Nobody understands Trump anyhow: he makes outlandish claims, then he pulls back, whatever. I think that Putin has much more faith on Trump than I could ever have, but ultimately we converge: let him bluff all he wants, Russia is in control and nothing short of all out nuclear war can change that.
Russia won't start a nuclear war as long as there's no substitute to Oreshnik…!
I’m not saying that Russia would start it, I’m saying that a hypothetical nuclear war would make us forget the Ukraine war forever. Dead people have no memories.
https://www.rt.com/shows/crosstalk/613171-trump-ukraine-peace-initiative-seriousness/
One may sense the US and Europe are aloof to disbanding NATO in proportional terms to Russia ending its foray into western Ukraine.
Awkwardly, the Kremlin may view Zelensky continuing as Ukraine's president as a 'blessing.'
Ultimately, it comes down to economics and lives saved.