“They looked almost like friends”: Axios on the interaction between Ukraine and Russia during negotiations 0 10

It is noted that the negotiations included both joint meetings of American mediators with Russian and Ukrainian negotiators, as well as a direct meeting between Russians and Ukrainians without the presence of Americans.

"Everything was discussed. No one was concerned about the course of the discussion from either side. We did not miss a single issue from the discussion, and we did not have to push anyone. We saw a lot of respect in the room because people were really looking for solutions," said one of the American officials.

At the end of the second day of negotiations, the three groups had lunch together.

"At one point, everyone looked almost like friends. I had a feeling of hope," said the American official.