President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has reaffirmed the country's stance of not yielding to Russia's ultimatums, following recent talks between Trump administration officials and Moscow in Saudi Arabia. Zelensky, who was not invited to the US-Russia discussions and is currently in Turkey, emphasized that Ukraine did not succumb to Russian demands during the full-scale invasion three years ago and will not do so now.
During a news conference in Ankara, Turkey, Zelensky highlighted that Ukraine was forced to defend itself when Russia launched its attack, leading to a situation where diplomacy was not an option. He recalled how Moscow presented Ukraine with ultimatums after the invasion, including demands to reduce troop numbers and accept a pro-Russian leadership.
Referring to the recent talks in Riyadh, Zelensky had previously stated that he would reject any agreement negotiated without Kyiv's involvement. He expressed concerns that the US-Russia discussions undermined the principle of including Ukraine in decisions concerning its own future, a policy that President Donald Trump appeared to disregard when speaking with Vladimir Putin.
Looking ahead, Zelensky called for the inclusion of parties capable of providing security guarantees to Ukraine in future talks aimed at ending Russia's invasion. The Ukrainian leader's firm stance reflects the country's determination to protect its sovereignty and resist external pressures.
