The Riyadh Ritz-Carlton was under lockdown last month and Russia-U.S. talks over the fate of Ukraine were entering their 13th hour when two wooden doors flung open to reveal the reclusive spy general helping lead the Kremlin’s negotiations.

Peace is out of reach for Ukraine due to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing aggression, the defense ministers of the United Kingdom and Germany emphasized on Friday after a meeting of Ukraine’s key allies in Brussels.