The Qataris apparently acted as mediators in the indirect negotiations and met separately with the Ukrainian and Russian delegations.
Ukraine and Russia are due to send delegations to Doha this month to negotiate a historic deal that would end attacks on energy and energy infrastructure on both sides, The Washington Post wrote, citing diplomats. who is familiar with negotiations.
The article said the indirect talks, in which the Qataris mediated and met separately with the Ukrainian and Russian delegations, were disrupted by Ukraine’s surprise invasion of Russia’s western Kursk region last week. Such a possible agreement and the planned summit have not been reported anywhere before.
Journalists recall that for more than a year, Russia has been attacking the Ukrainian power grid with a barrage of cruise missiles and drones, causing significant damage to power plants and causing rolling blackouts across the country.
Meanwhile, Ukraine hit Russian oil facilities with long-range drone strikes, setting fire to refineries, tank farms and tanks, cutting Moscow’s oil refining by around 15% and raising fuel prices around the world.
A diplomat involved in the talks said Russian officials had postponed a meeting with Qatari officials following Ukraine’s invasion of western Russia.
Moscow’s delegation called it an “escalation,” the diplomat said, adding that Kyiv “did not warn Doha about its cross-border offensive.”
“Russia did not cancel the negotiations, they said: “Give us time,” assured the diplomat.
According to the interlocutor, although Ukraine still wanted to send its delegation to Doha, Qatar refused because it did not see the benefit of a one-sided meeting.
A diplomat familiar with the negotiations said Qatar had been discussing agreements with Kiev and Moscow on a moratorium on energy strikes for the past two months. According to him, the parties agreed on a summit in Doha, the only thing left is the reconciliation of small details.
“After Kursk, the Russians backed off,” said another person familiar with the negotiations.
The Russian interlocutor, who has close ties to the diplomatic circle, made it clear that “Putin is in no mood to conclude an agreement after the offensive Kursk operation.”
“You know that our Russian leadership usually does not compromise under pressure,” the interlocutor allegedly said.
In response to a request from The Washington Post, the Office of the President of Ukraine reported that the summit in Doha was postponed “due to the situation in the Middle East,” but it will take place via videoconference on August 22, after which Kyiv will consult with its partners in the implementation of the agreement.
The Kremlin did not respond to the requests.
The White House declined to comment for this story. The Biden administration has long said the timing and terms of a potential ceasefire with Russia should be determined by Ukraine alone.
We remind you that in Ukraine, from August 17, an increase in electricity consumption due to heat is expected, which may force power engineers to re-apply shutdown schedules.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.