US and Russia secretly discussed Ukraine war in Switzerland, Reuters
Illustrative photo: The USA and Russia held negotiations on the war in Ukraine ahead of the meeting in Saudi Arabia (Getty Images)
Representatives from the USA and Russia held unofficial meetings for several months to discuss the issue of the war in Ukraine. For these talks, the parties used a channel in Switzerland, reports Reuters.
Three sources familiar with the matter stated that such negotiations took place over the past three months, including last week.
According to Reuters, the talks were conducted through a side channel with some contacts, and they continued during the transition period after Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential elections on November 5.
It is also noted that the participants have diplomatic and security service experience, but they are not government officials. Additionally, it is unclear whether they were sent by their governments, two sources told Reuters. The sources declined to name the participants.
One source mentioned that at least a small number of Trump's advisers were aware of these meetings.
"Many other details remain unclear, including the meetings' agendas, whether Ukrainians were present and when the encounters began. But the previously undisclosed meetings highlight behind-the-scenes US and Russian efforts to explore ways of ending the Ukraine war despite a near-freeze on official contact under Trump's predecessor, former President Joe Biden," writes Reuters.
One of the sources described the negotiations in Switzerland as "Track Two discussions," meaning informal talks aimed at improving communication and proposing ideas, rather than developing specific proposals.
Two Reuters sources stated that at least one meeting took place in Geneva during the Munich Security Conference (Germany) last week, a gathering of international political leaders and heads of security services.
It is said that these negotiations have lost their relevance, as, in recent weeks, US and Russian representatives have established official channels for dialogue.
Recently Trump sharply changed the US approach to the Russian-Ukrainian war, directly communicating with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and insisting on a quick agreement to end the war.
This occurred after high-ranking US officials met with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
