Zelensky Critiques Russian Demands Ahead of Key U.S.-Ukraine Talks
Ukrainian President Zelensky announced upcoming U.S.-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at establishing a ceasefire concerning energy and infrastructure. He criticized Russian demands regarding military aid cessation and lamented the lack of NATO membership support. Russia will attend separate talks while emphasizing its stance on grain and fertilizer exports. Zelensky dismissed ideas of U.S. ownership of power facilities, keeping focus on Ukrainian control and international energy integration.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian and U.S. officials would convene in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the conflict with Russia. The talks aim to establish terms for a ceasefire concerning energy and infrastructure, according to Zelensky’s statements made during a news conference in Oslo. He emphasized the importance of presenting a list of civilian infrastructure that should be protected to facilitate agreements during the upcoming discussions.
Zelensky highlighted criticisms of Russian preconditions, which demand cessation of U.S. military aid to Ukraine and restrict territorial mobilization. He asserted that Russia needs to halt unreasonable demands that merely extend the duration of the war. He expressed concerns about the ongoing exclusion of Ukraine’s NATO membership negotiations, stressing the importance of U.S. support for Ukraine’s NATO aspirations.
Russia confirmed its participation in forthcoming discussions with U.S. officials in Riyadh, deploying a negotiation team led by Senator Grigory Karasin. The agenda for these talks might include reviving the Black Sea initiative, beneficial for both Russian fertilizer and Ukrainian grain exports, which Russia suspended earlier this year due to alleged unfair sanctions.
Kislyak, representing Russia, indicated that Moscow would not shift its stance against EU involvement, asserting Ukraine’s unwillingness to compromise and reiterating demands for the cessation of U.S. military support for Ukraine. Zelensky also ruled out the possibility of U.S. ownership of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities, stating such measures would be illegal and counterproductive. He noted, however, that discussions about U.S. investments aimed at modernizing the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station were welcomed, provided Ukrainian ownership remained intact.
Zelensky addressed media misconceptions regarding U.S. takeover of Ukraine’s energy sector, emphasizing its majority state ownership. He articulated that integration with Europe’s energy grid offers significant energy security guarantees for Ukraine, reinforcing the need for a collaborative approach to address the ongoing energy infrastructure challenges amid war conditions.
In conclusion, the upcoming talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia focus on establishing a ceasefire and clarifying civilian infrastructure protections amid the ongoing war with Russia. Zelensky’s criticisms of Russia’s demands highlight the complexities of the negotiations, particularly in relation to NATO membership aspirations. While discussions around U.S. involvement in Ukrainian energy infrastructure progress, ownership remains a key sticking point.
Original Source: www.upi.com
