Putin accuses Ukraine of attacking Russian LNG tanker off Libya as Zelensky says trilateral talks are paused
The Facts
- Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of carrying out an attack on a Russian LNG tanker that exploded and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Libya.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said trilateral diplomatic work involving Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia is currently on hold due to the situation around Iran, and that Ukraine is ready to resume when conditions allow.
- Zelenskyy said Ukraine continues to communicate with the United States on a near-daily basis.
- Zelenskyy said Ukraine discussed with the United States the possibility of changing the location and postponing the next trilateral meeting with Russia.
- Zelenskyy said the next trilateral Ukraine–U.S.–Russia meeting had been planned for the period March 5–9.
- Media reports citing sources in the Ukrainian delegation said there is currently no date or venue set for the next round of trilateral Ukraine–U.S.–Russia talks.
Context
What did Putin claim happened to the LNG tanker off Libya?
Putin accused Ukraine of carrying out what he called a “terrorist attack” on a Russian LNG tanker that exploded and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Libya; Ukrainian officials did not immediately respond to the accusation in the reporting cited. Independent,EA WorldView
Why are the Ukraine–U.S.–Russia trilateral talks paused, according to Zelenskyy?
Zelenskyy said that because of the situation around Iran, the “necessary signals” for a trilateral meeting have not come yet, and that talks would resume when the security situation and broader political context allow. Українська …,Anadolu Ajansı
What is known about the timing and logistics of the next trilateral meeting?
Zelenskyy said the next trilateral meeting had been planned for March 5–9, but Ukraine discussed with the U.S. changing the location and postponing it; separately, reports citing sources in the Ukrainian delegation said there is currently no date or venue set. Українська …,Arab News,Interfax-Ukraine
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