MOSCOW, February 2. /TASS/. Why the Abu Dhabi talks on settling the Ukrainian crisis were postponed, the potential impact of over three million of Epstein's files on Trump; and Bitcoin plunges with little hope for growth. These stories topped Monday’s newspaper headlines across Russia.
Negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement, originally scheduled for February 1, have been postponed for several days. They are now expected to take place on February 4-5, though there has been no official confirmation of the new dates. The day before, special presidential envoy and Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) CEO Kirill Dmitriev held consultations with the American administration in the US; it is quite possible that the pause was needed to analyze the issues raised at the meeting. The main obstacle for the participants in the negotiation process remains territorial. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to experience a collapse in its energy sector, accompanied by blackouts and widespread water supply cuts.
The general conditions for a peace agreement are not yet in place, political scientist Dmitry Solonnikov told Izvestia. He noted that Ukraine and the EU believe that Russia should make concessions. According to the expert, the West is trying to portray Russia as the "weaker side" that must agree to a direct ultimatum. "Neither side will accept the other's terms. Until something fundamental happens in this situation, it is impossible to talk about progress," Solonnikov added.
