Decisions are being made about our country, but I am not included: Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday criticized the ongoing talks between Russian and US officials in Saudi Arabia. He said that the future of Ukraine is being discussed, but Ukraine itself is not being included in it. Zelensky, who arrived on an official visit to Turkey, said, “These talks are taking place between representatives of Russia and America, and the topic is Ukraine – but Ukraine is not included in them.” Meanwhile, there are reports that Zelensky has postponed his visit to Saudi Arabia.

Zelensky’s statement comes at a time when possibilities to end the Ukraine war are being discussed in Saudi Arabia, but this does not directly involve the Ukrainian side. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed his willingness to host peace talks. He said in a joint press conference with Zelensky in Ankara, “Turkey would be the ideal place to host any peace talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States.” Turkey has previously tried to mediate between Russia and Ukraine.

Zelensky said any talks to end the war must be “just” and involve European countries, especially Turkey. “In addition to Ukraine, Europe, that is, the EU, Turkey and the UK, must also be included in the talks. These countries, together with the United States, must be involved in the negotiations and necessary decisions about the future of our world and security guarantees,” Zelensky said.

Top diplomats from Russia and the United States met in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to discuss improving relations and resuming talks to end the war in Ukraine, marking a major shift in US foreign policy under President Donald Trump. No Ukrainian officials were present at the meeting and came as the embattled country is slowly but steadily losing ground to Russian troops that have been fighting for nearly three years.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country would not accept any decisions taken at this week’s talks if Kiev does not take part in the talks. European allies have also expressed concern that they are being sidelined. The meeting was attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other senior officials.
The meeting was expected to focus on improving relations between the two countries, which have deteriorated significantly in the last few decades. In an interview with the Associated Press after the meeting, Rubio said that both sides have agreed to restore staff in their respective embassies in Washington and Moscow to create missions to support Ukraine peace talks, bilateral relations and cooperation in general.