Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made it clear that Ukraine will not be participating in the US-Russia negotiations scheduled to take place in Riyadh this week. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine was not informed about these talks and firmly believes that any discussions regarding Ukraine should involve Ukraine itself to yield meaningful results.
Zelensky stated to reporters on Monday that Ukraine's absence from the negotiations signifies a lack of recognition for any agreements made about Ukraine without its direct involvement. He expressed the importance of the principle 'nothing about us without us' in international discussions concerning his country.
Despite not taking part in the US-Russia talks, Zelensky revealed his plans to visit Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates this week for separate discussions with Saudi officials. He clarified that his visit to Saudi Arabia is unrelated to the negotiations happening in Riyadh between the US and Russia.
Zelensky mentioned that during his visit, he intends to inquire with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about his knowledge of the ongoing negotiations, purely out of curiosity. This move highlights Ukraine's commitment to staying informed and engaged in matters that could potentially impact its interests.
The decision by President Zelensky to abstain from the US-Russia talks underscores Ukraine's stance on the importance of direct involvement in discussions concerning its future. By opting for separate engagements with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Zelensky aims to maintain open channels of communication with key regional players while safeguarding Ukraine's interests on the global stage.
