Zelenskyy Rejects Peace Talks Excluding Ukraine Amid US-Russia Negotiations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy firmly stated that Ukraine will not accept any peace agreements concerning its future that are made without its involvement. His remarks came just as high-profile negotiations were set to take place between Russian and American officials in Saudi Arabia, a move that has stirred controversy given Ukraine's exclusion from these discussions. "Ukraine regards any negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine as having no validity; we cannot recognize agreements made about us without our participation," Zelenskyy declared on Monday.
The imminent talks were precipitated by a recent conversation between former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, indicating a renewed interest in negotiating an end to the ongoing conflict. This meeting in Riyadh is seen as a significant step, marking the first in-person dialogue between senior officials from the two nations in years, particularly following a steep decline in relations after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy made it clear that Ukraine was not privy to the discussions taking place in Saudi Arabia and reemphasized his country’s decision not to participate in the talks. "We do not have any information about it," he said during a video briefing from the United Arab Emirates, where he was visiting.
The gatherings in Riyadh will feature influential delegations from both the US and Russia. The American contingent includes some of Trump's top aides, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. On the Russian side, Putin has dispatched his trusted foreign policy envoy Yuri Ushakov, alongside Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, reflecting the Kremlin's commitment to these talks.
Lavrov has made it abundantly clear that Russia will not concede any territories in Ukraine during these negotiations, despite previously declared annexations of several Ukrainian regions. He emphasized that Moscow was willing to listen to its US counterparts but maintained that Europe should not have a role in the negotiation process.
In a separate development, while Zelenskyy confirmed his plans to visit Saudi Arabia later in the week, he insisted that his visit was unrelated to the ongoing talks. He expressed a desire to inquire about the discussions when he arrives. Furthermore, he announced that Trump's special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, would be visiting Kyiv shortly, highlighting his commitment to maintaining open channels with key US representatives while reinforcing Ukraine's position.
Zelenskyy also reiterated the importance of European participation in any peace discussions, advocating for a representative held in high regard by the continent. While he did not dismiss the possibility of China playing a role, he stressed that only those capable of providing security guarantees against Russian aggression should be involved.
Although there remains uncertainty surrounding Trump's peace proposal and Russia's readiness to engage, the rapid pace of these negotiations has bred concerns among European leaders who feel sidelined. French President Emmanuel Macron quickly called for an emergency meeting with EU counterparts to address the worrying trend of being left out.
"We feel like we're constantly left in the dark," lamented a senior European official, emphasizing the need for the continent to assert its relevance in these discussions. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated he would consider deploying British forces to Ukraine if a peace deal was reached, a prospect that Russia has traditionally rebuffed.
As the world watches the unfolding diplomatic landscape, the urgency for a comprehensive and inclusive resolution to the conflict in Ukraine remains high, with the implications of these talks resonating far beyond the immediate players involved.
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