Ukraine Excludes Itself from US-Russia Talks in Saudi Arabia

Ukraine will not partake in the upcoming US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, as confirmed by adviser Mykhailo Podolyak. The decision follows the significance of an upcoming phone call between US President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, with implications for future negotiations. US-Russia discussions will focus on ceasefire arrangements, as previously agreed by Trump and Putin.
The Presidential Office of Ukraine confirmed that the nation will not attend the upcoming US-Russia negotiations set for March 23 in Saudi Arabia. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of the office, stated that these discussions will involve only the US and Russia, leaving no current plans for Ukrainian participation.
Podolyak noted the importance of waiting for the outcomes of the phone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which will determine when Ukraine might engage in further negotiations.
He emphasized that Zelenskyy aims to gain full insight into Trump’s discussions with Putin to assess the implications for Ukraine. The previous White House meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy encountered emotional tension, reflecting underlying contradictions.
Meanwhile, US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz announced that US-Russia dialogue on a ceasefire would resume, focusing on enhancing the existing partial ceasefire established by Trump. Discussions aim to address Putin’s conditions and an alleged agreement to halt assaults on Ukraine’s energy sector.
As of now, Trump and Zelenskyy are set to communicate on March 19, their first direct engagement since the contentious White House meeting, with expectations to review the implications of Trump’s recent dialogues with Putin.
Ukraine’s absence from the upcoming US-Russia talks emphasizes its current strategy to await clearer diplomatic direction following discussions between Trump and Zelenskyy. With ongoing tension and unresolved issues from past meetings, the focus remains on establishing cooperative communication regarding the situation in Ukraine. The resumption of US-Russia negotiations may influence future discussions involving Ukraine.
Original Source: newsukraine.rbc.ua