Russia gives reason for not publishing content of 12-hour talks with US

“After all, these are technical talks, that is, negotiations that go into details, so, of course, the content of these talks will not be made public,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on March 25.

“Currently, the reports sent by the delegations to each side’s capitals are being analyzed and only then can any agreement be reached,” he added.

Mr. Peskov's statement contradicts previous information that the US and Russia will issue a joint statement on the results of the talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on March 23.

The 12-hour talks focused on the Ukrainian conflict, with particular emphasis on the idea of ​​resuming the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allows freedom of navigation in the region during times of hostilities.

"We need clear guarantees. Guarantees can only come from the United States telling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his team what to do and what not to do," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

Russia is likely to ask the US to put more pressure on Ukraine before agreeing to a maritime ceasefire, observers say.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow was ready to stop attacking Ukraine's energy infrastructure provided Kiev also complied.