"Available data suggests that Putin is forming Russia’s negotiating team to be most effective in dealing with specific U.S. representatives appointed for the talks," the analysts wrote.
"This is likely aimed at securing the greatest possible concessions from the United States."
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that Putin will decide on the composition of Russia’s delegation only after the U.S. appoints its negotiators.
According to Meduza, the U.S. was the first to form its delegation for the negotiations in Saudi Arabia. In response, Russia attempted to select representatives specifically tailored to match their American counterparts.
Russia’s Demands: unfreezing assets and restoring diplomatic presence
According to The Moscow Times, citing a diplomatic source, Moscow is pushing to regain access to approximately $6 billion in frozen Central Bank reserves in the U.S. Additionally, Russia demands the full restoration of diplomatic missions in both countries and the return of Russian diplomatic property previously confiscated by U.S. authorities.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that both sides agreed to restore the "functionality" of diplomatic missions in Washington and Moscow.
"The Kremlin is likely trying to push the U.S. into accepting economic and diplomatic conditions unrelated to the war in Ukraine, possibly in exchange for concessions from Kyiv and the West," ISW noted.
"If the U.S. agrees to these terms without imposing counter-demands on Russia regarding Ukraine, it would give Moscow additional leverage in securing the ‘strong and lasting peace’ that Donald Trump has pledged to pursue."
U.S. position and future talks
On Feb. 18, Rubio and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz stated that Trump’s position remains unchanged: the war in Ukraine must end with a "fair, lasting, and sustainable agreement acceptable to all parties."
Rubio emphasized that all sides will need to make compromises to end the war and that a peace deal is only possible with the consent of Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S.'s European partners.
Following negotiations in Saudi Arabia, Rubio remarked that Russia appears "willing to start a serious process" for discussing the end of the war, but the outcome will depend on all parties’ willingness to compromise.
Key ISW takeaways for Feb. 19:
- Putin is tailoring Russia’s delegation to match the composition of the U.S. negotiating team, aiming for maximum concessions.
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz reaffirmed that Trump’s position on Ukraine remains unchanged.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserted that lasting peace is only possible through NATO membership or strong security guarantees.
- U.S. Special Representative for Russia and Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, arrived in Kyiv for an official visit.
- Ukraine continues targeting Russian energy infrastructure used by its army.
- Ukrainian forces are advancing near Vovchansk and Toretsk, while Russian troops are pushing forward near Borova, Siversk, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Velyka Novosilka.
- Russia halts recruitment of foreign soldiers who do not speak Russian.