U.S. adopts Russian arguments, starts exerting pressure on Ukraine and West - Auštrevičius

He expressed this opinion on Espreso TV.

“It's hard to believe what I hear and see directly at the talks taking place in Saudi Arabia. I believe that the Russians are using these talks solely to put forward new demands and ultimatums, without taking any steps toward a peace agreement. Each time they try to extract new concessions from the United States. And, unfortunately, what I hear from US representatives suggests that they have started using purely Russian arguments, even bringing them into the public discourse. However, it is obvious that this is not in the interests of the United States. These are the demands of the Russian Federation,” Auštrevičius said.

The politician emphasized that the United States has begun to back down from a tough stance in negotiations with Russia and is agreeing to Russian demands. Donald Trump's administration has begun to put pressure on Europe and Ukraine to quickly conclude a temporary ceasefire.

“So we are in a rather difficult situation. Instead of having a unified position in the negotiations with Ukraine and really forcing Russia to take a reasonable and absolutely reasonable approach, the US is actually adopting Russian arguments and seems to be starting to put pressure on Ukraine and the West. From the latest news from Saudi Arabia, it is Russia's demand for exports of agricultural products and fertilizers, which is absolutely unacceptable. This is another ultimatum, and it seems that the US, unfortunately, is starting to back down and agree to Russian demands,” he added. 

On Monday, March 24, a meeting between the U.S. and Russian delegations commenced in Saudi Arabia. The goal of the talks is to reach a ceasefire in the Black Sea. At the same time, the meeting is about possible demarcation lines in Ukraine.

• On Tuesday, March 25, a new round of talks took place in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, between the Ukrainian and American delegations.
• President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that on March 25, a ceasefire on energy infrastructure could be implemented, and this issue has been agreed upon with the United States.
• President Zelenskyy believes a ceasefire will offer only a brief chance for a peace deal, as the Kremlin keeps violating agreements.
• Ukraine’s General Staff has denied Russian allegations that Kyiv violated the ceasefire concerning energy facilities.
• Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of the Presidential Administration, said that the ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia on energy facilities was officially agreed in Riyadh on March 23 and 24, and a partial 30-day truce came into effect at the same time.
• U.S. President Donald Trump believes that Russia wants to "see an end" to the war in Ukraine and sign a peace agreement, but they are likely "dragging their feet."
• On March 26, it was noted that Russia's conditions for an agreement on a ceasefire in the Black Sea included the lifting of European sanctions.