VILNIUS, February 18. /ТASS/. The Munich security conference handed a diplomatic advantage to Russia, said Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament) of Estonia Marko Mihkelson.
"I believe that Russia achieved an important victory over the weekend - today it is more active diplomatically," the ERR national television and radio portal quoted him as saying.
The politician also said that Moscow now has an initiative not only on the battlefield, but also in diplomacy.
US special envoy for Russia and Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, who took part in the Munich Security Conference, said on February 16 that the EU would not be present at the negotiating table on the Ukrainian settlement, but its interests would be taken into account. This caused serious alarm in the European capitals, and later Kellogg tried to reassure the allies by familiarizing them with American tactics in negotiations where the United States intends to mediate between Russia and Ukraine.
The Russian and American delegations will hold talks in Riyadh on February 18 to discuss the restoration of bilateral relations, as well as preparations for discussing the Ukrainian settlement and for a meeting between their leaders. Russia is represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and presidential aide Yury Ushakov. According to CNN, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz and special envoy for the Middle East Stephen Witkoff will be present at the talks in Saudi Arabia.