Olga Ivshina: BBC Senior Russia Reporter on the upcoming talks between Russia and the US on the war in Ukraine

Russia appears to be pleased with the position it's in. 

US and Russian officials are en route to Saudi Arabia for talks, excluding Ukraine and Europe. 

France is hosting an emergency summit with European and NATO leaders to discuss the situation. 

BBC Senior Russia Reporter Olga Ivshina told Mike Hosking Russia is presenting itself like it has the upper hand in negotiations. 

However, she says Ukraine's control over a part of Russia is an issue that bothers Vladimir Putin. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Pace talks in Saudi Arabia. It's the US and Russia

(00:02):
and at this point that appears about it. So who's there?
What comes out of it? Olga Imshina is with the
BBC and is well, there's some good morning you with
us morning. Yes, I'm here, very good, indeed, Levrov, Marca Rubio.
Who else is there? What's the expectation from Russia? Do
we know?

Speaker 2 (00:20):
Oh, that's the I guess the question, which is everyone's
mind at the moment. What we see from Labo's public
statement he made briefly before boarding the plane to soud Arabia,
is that he feels quite impoltant, quite pleased with the
current position in which Russia is. So he made a
few scenic and bold comments, sort of quite provocative, but

(00:43):
you know, that's the usual state of affairs for him.
So publicly, Russia presents itself as if it has like
almost up a hand on those negotiations. But what Warrov
is not mentioning is that there are a few issues
which are very important to Russia. For example, you've Crane
still controls a part of Russian territory in the coast region,

(01:03):
which he has gained as a part of last year's
incursion into Russia. And this is something which borders put
In a lot, but which he doesn't like to be
talking about. So and in order to achieve Putting the objectives.
In order to achieve the peace, Russia still needs to
give something in to trade something off and what they
will be ready to give and train that, you know,

(01:25):
which will show how really these negotiations are developing. So
they try to put on a brave face, but it's
not all nice and funny for them.

Speaker 1 (01:35):
I'm leaping a heat slightly. But the way I see
this unfolding is Russia gets some territory, Ukraine gets some
guarantees about future invasions, America gets some rareerss and some minerals,
and that's about it. Is that possible, Well.

Speaker 2 (01:51):
It's possible, but details a crucial here. You know, what
are the security guarantees for Ukraine? What Russia causesecurity guarantees
for itself. We have already heard that Britain is suggesting
to put its troops on the ground in Ukraine as
a part of a security guarantee. And that's something which

(02:11):
is can be a nightmare for Putting, because he claims
he started this war, this invasion in order to push
native forces away, and now he's, you know, half step
he's a half step away from having native soldiers exactly
on the border of the territory he is controlling.

Speaker 1 (02:31):
In Russia itself, do people want the end of the war?
Are they following this closely? Do they see this as
the conclusion?

Speaker 2 (02:40):
Yes, of course people in Russia are following this closely.
And it's hard to say what the mood is because
Russia is an auster Italian country and if you speak
too much or speak against the government line, you easily
end up in prison for seven eight years. But all
the posts are showing that the majority of the population
are eager for the war to stop on the one hand.

(03:02):
On the other hand, or at least ten to twenty
percent of opulation are quite howky, So for them, Putting
will need to somehow show a nice face. So he
will need to sell them this piece deals so not
so easy. I mean Putting doesn't have to worry about elections.
Of course it's an also Ittarian state. But still he'll

(03:22):
need to find a way to sell it to the
Russian public.

Speaker 1 (03:25):
Oh, I'm good to talk to you. Appreciate it very
much Aga Iphina BBC Russia corresponded. For more from the
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