The Monocle Daily
The US and Russia meet in Riyadh
Mar 24, 2025
Joining the discussion are Giorgia Scaturro, a London-based Italian reporter known for her insights into Italian politics, and Yossi Mekelberg, a Middle Eastern affairs expert from Chatham House. They dive into the complexities of the Ukraine-Russia ceasefire negotiations taking place in Riyadh. The conversation also tackles Netanyahu’s controversial military actions in Gaza and Italy's technological tensions with Elon Musk. Adding a touch of humor, they touch on a quirky debate about pint definitions in Paris, highlighting consumer transparency.
37:47
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Quick takeaways
- The ongoing Ukraine-Russia ceasefire discussions reveal a cautious optimism regarding maritime negotiations despite skepticism from Ukrainian officials about Russia's tactics.
- Israel's military operations in Gaza raise critical concerns about strategic clarity and the political motivations driving its actions amid escalating violence.
Deep dives
Ceasefire Talks in Riyadh
The ongoing ceasefire discussions in Riyadh focus on the potential for a truce in the Black Sea region amid the continued conflict between Russia and Ukraine. US Envoy Steve Witkoff expressed cautious optimism, notably highlighting Russia’s interest in rejoining the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which previously allowed unimpeded grain shipments from Ukraine. However, skepticism remains among Ukrainian officials, who are wary of Russia's negotiating tactics that often lead to further complications rather than solutions. The talks suggest a possible strategy to navigate negotiations more effectively by concentrating on maritime issues rather than ground troops and territorial disputes.
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