Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine would not recognize any peace agreements made without its direct participation. He asserted that negotiations involving Ukraine, but excluding Ukraine, would have no legitimacy.
This statement came as high-level officials from Russia and the United States traveled to Saudi Arabia for talks aimed at resolving the nearly three-year war in Ukraine. Kyiv and European countries were notably excluded from these discussions, which raised concerns within Ukraine and Europe.
Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine was not informed about the ongoing talks in Riyadh and would not be part of the discussions. His remarks highlighted the frustration felt by Ukraine, which considers any negotiations about its future without its involvement as meaningless. Despite this exclusion, the discussions in Saudi Arabia continued, signaling the growing geopolitical tension surrounding the war and the complexities of any potential peace agreement.
US and Russia Engage in High-Level Talks in Riyadh Amid Tensions Over Ukraine
The US and Russia are sending senior delegations to Riyadh, underscoring the importance of the meeting. This marks the first in-person discussions between top officials from both nations in years after relations soured following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The meeting follows a phone call between former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the possibility of a summit between the two leaders in the near future. The US delegation includes high-ranking officials, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while Russia’s delegation is led by senior officials like Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Zelenskyy Rejects Peace Talks Without Ukraine as US and Russia Meet in RiyadhAs the talks began, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made it clear that Russia had no intention of making territorial concessions during peace negotiations. Russia had previously annexed several regions of Ukraine, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, even though parts of these areas remain outside its control. Lavrov emphasized that while Russia was open to hearing US views, Europe had no place in the negotiations, further highlighting the rift between Russia and European powers.
Zelenskyy Advocates for European Involvement, Amidst Uncertainty Over Peace Talks Framework
While Ukraine was excluded from the talks in Riyadh, President Zelenskyy made it clear that any peace process should involve European countries as well. He stressed that Europe must be represented by someone respected across the continent and emphasized the necessity for security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression.
In parallel, there was growing anxiety within European leadership about being left out of discussions, as exemplified by French President Emmanuel Macron’s emergency meeting with European leaders in Paris to address the lack of involvement in the peace process.
Despite the diplomatic flurry, details regarding the substance of the peace talks remain unclear. Russia’s top foreign policy advisor, Yuri Ushakov, tempered expectations, noting that there was no established framework for peace talks yet.
Meanwhile, discussions about the potential deployment of European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine continue to unfold, with some European leaders open to such a move. However, Russia remains firmly opposed to the idea of European forces entering Ukraine, presenting yet another hurdle in the pursuit of a negotiated settlement.