Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine will not participate in any discussions between American and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia. He made these remarks before the media in Abu Dhabi, during the beginning of his Middle East visits, including stops in Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
Zelensky clarified that Ukraine is not aware of any talks between the United States and Russia in Saudi Arabia, asserting that any negotiation regarding Ukraine that does not involve Ukraine itself will not be successful.
“We cannot recognize any agreement for us, without us,” Zelensky told reporters in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
“We will not recognize these agreements,” he added.
U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, stated on Monday afternoon that no one will impose a peace deal on Zelensky, emphasizing that “he and his people will make that decision.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Yuri Ushakov, President Vladimir Putin’s aide for foreign policy, are scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia to meet with their U.S. counterparts, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
The planned talks on February 18 in Riyadh will focus on improving relations between Moscow and Washington, Peskov said.
The United States will be represented by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is already in Riyadh, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, confirmed the U.S. Department of State.
Speaking at a press conference in Moscow alongside his Serbian counterpart, Lavrov noted that Europe has already had several opportunities to contribute to finding a solution for Ukraine, but he is uncertain how European countries can contribute if invited to the negotiation table, given that European politicians desire the war to continue.
While differing views exist within European politicians regarding Ukraine, the majority agree on the need for “long-term peace” for Ukraine.
U.S. President Donald Trump has insisted that Zelensky “will be involved” in negotiations to end the Russian war, adding that he could meet with Kremlin leader Putin very soon.
The war in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022.
Russian President Vladimir Putin refers to the war as a “special military operation” to demilitarize Ukraine.
In response, the West has hit Russia’s economy with severe sanctions.
As a result of the war, thousands have died, and millions more have been displaced from their homes.
