Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation, Yuri Ushakov, stated that in the negotiations on March 24 in Riyadh with representatives of the US administration, the Russian side will include the chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs, Grigory Karasin, and advisor to the FSB director, Sergey Beseda, who previously headed the Fifth Service of the FSB. It is believed by experts that the analytical reports of the Fifth Service played a key role in forming the illusion of «Kyiv in three days» among the Russian leadership. As reported by the Washington Post, FSB analysts either did not represent what Ukraine's response to Russia's invasion might be, or they understood but could not or did not want to convey sober assessments to Putin.
Journalist Andrey Soldatov* reported that for these failed assessments, Beseda was allegedly sent to Lefortovo detention center. The Investigative Committee did not confirm the arrest. Last summer, «Important Stories»** wrote that he moved to the position of advisor.
Since 2014, Beseda has been under sanctions by the USA, Switzerland, the EU, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
* Recognized in Russia as a «foreign agent».
** Recognized in Russia as a «foreign agent» and «undesirable» organization.