Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sharply criticized the planned negotiations between Russia and the United States in Riyadh during a press conference following his meeting with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He emphasized that Ukraine is once again being excluded from discussions about its own fate, which is unacceptable for a country that has demonstrated resilience and determination to fight for its independence since the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Why is Ukraine Being Excluded from the Talks?
Zelensky stated that the negotiations between the U.S. and Russia in Saudi Arabia came as a “surprise” to Ukraine. “It is interesting—if we did not accept a Russian ultimatum at the most critical moment, why does anyone think we would do so now?” he asked. The president stressed that no country in the world helped Ukraine at the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. International aid only arrived once the world realized that Ukraine was capable of resisting the aggressor.
According to Bloomberg, neither the U.S. nor Russia wanted Zelensky to be present at the negotiations in Saudi Arabia. Sources indicate that the Saudi crown prince plans to brief the Ukrainian leader on the results of his meetings with Washington and Moscow representatives. However, Zelensky has already canceled his visit to Riyadh, rescheduling it for March 10.
Do the U.S. and Europe Support Ukraine’s NATO Membership?
The Ukrainian president also expressed concerns about the U.S. and European stance on Ukraine’s NATO accession. “We believe that Ukraine will become a NATO member. But we do not hear the same confidence from the U.S. and a few other countries. That is why we need alternative security guarantees—a strong army and foreign peacekeeping forces,” he said.
This statement came amid reports of the U.S. appointing special envoy Keith Kellogg to negotiate with Kyiv and European partners on a peaceful resolution. For talks with Russia, Washington will assign a different representative, highlighting the complexity of finding compromises with the aggressor.
Europe Prepares a New Aid Package for Ukraine
Meanwhile, the European Union is preparing a large-scale military aid package for Ukraine worth at least €6 billion. According to Politico, the package will include 1.5 million artillery shells, air defense systems, and other weaponry. This will be one of the largest aid packages since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
French President Emmanuel Macron has also initiated a second EU leaders’ meeting within three days to discuss the situation in Ukraine and security in Europe. Representatives from Norway, Canada, the Baltic states, the Czech Republic, Greece, Finland, Romania, Sweden, and Belgium have been invited to participate.
Russia’s Aggression and the Search for Peace
Since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has continued using negotiations as a tool of pressure. The Kremlin’s proposals often amount to ultimatums that contradict Ukraine’s interests and international law. In this context, Ukraine’s exclusion from U.S.-Russia talks raises serious concerns.
Zelensky reaffirmed that Ukraine will not make concessions to the aggressor. “We will not surrender—we will fight for our freedom and independence,” he declared. This stance is supported by the Ukrainian people and the international community, which increasingly recognizes the need to counter Russian aggression.
Conclusion
The situation surrounding U.S.-Russia negotiations underscores the difficulty of finding paths to peace amid Russia’s ongoing aggression. Ukraine, as a symbol of the fight for freedom and democracy, continues to defend its interests on the international stage. Support from the EU and other global allies is crucial in this struggle for a just peace, but no negotiations can be effective without Ukraine’s direct involvement.
Ukraine remains steadfast in the face of aggression, and the world must remember: no decision about the country’s future can be made without its participation.