Jake Sullivan and Patrushev are talking/negotiating. Talk requested by the American side.
Yes, lots of info on back channel talks (and Pepe is a great source...well connected to Eastern players.)
This Saudi plan has been in the works for a while now. Those strange POW transfers were arranged by Saudi. Putin allowed lots of Azov prisoners, including 5 commanders to be traded; something they had previously said they would never do. Russians were furious and no explanations have been provided to date. Guess everyone will find out why if and when the details of the peace agreement are released.