Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks during a joint news briefing with U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, February 12, 2025. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo
Zelenskiy Postpones Saudi Arabia Visit, Rejects U.S.-Russia Talks Without Ukraine
Ukraine Excluded from U.S.-Russia Negotiations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Tuesday that he had postponed his planned visit to Saudi Arabia, originally scheduled for Wednesday, citing concerns over peace talks being conducted without Ukraine’s involvement. The decision came after Washington and Moscow held discussions in Riyadh on potential resolutions to the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, a meeting to which Kyiv was not invited.
- Zelenskiy emphasized that no decision on ending the war should be made without Ukraine’s direct participation.
- He stated that his trip to Saudi Arabia had been postponed until March 10 to avoid “any coincidences” related to the U.S.-Russia talks.
- The Ukrainian leader reiterated his stance against negotiations conducted behind Kyiv’s back.
Military Situation and Battlefield Stalemate
As the war nears its three-year anniversary, Zelenskiy acknowledged that neither Ukraine nor Russia could achieve a decisive victory solely through military means.
- Heavy fighting continues along a 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line, particularly in eastern Donetsk, where Russian forces continue to make slow advances.
- Ukraine has also launched cross-border operations, seizing control of a small section of Russia’s Kursk region in August 2024.
Calls for Multilateral Security Guarantees
Zelenskiy reiterated that any negotiations on Ukraine’s security and future peace agreements must include Ukraine, the United States, and European allies.
- The Ukrainian president discussed security guarantees during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.
- Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stating that Ankara would be an appropriate venue for any future peace talks involving Russia.
Zelenskiy’s comments highlight Kyiv’s insistence on maintaining a direct role in any negotiations while seeking broader international support to ensure a just and lasting peace agreement.
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