Ukraine’s Stance: No Agreements Without Kyiv’s Participation
President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared that Ukraine will not recognize any agreements or outcomes from negotiations regarding Ukraine held in Saudi Arabia without Ukraine’s direct participation. Speaking to journalists, Zelensky emphasized Kyiv’s firm position: “Ukraine will not participate… Ukraine knew nothing about this. And Ukraine views any negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine as having no result. And we cannot recognize any things or any agreements about us without us. And we will not recognize such agreements.” This statement underscores Ukraine’s insistence on being a central and indispensable party in any discussions concerning its future.
Zelensky’s Firm Rejection of Saudi Arabia Talks
Zelensky’s comments directly address reports of negotiations in Saudi Arabia involving representatives from Russia and the United States. He stated unequivocally that Ukraine was unaware of these talks and would not be bound by any resulting agreements. This firm rejection highlights Ukraine’s determination to maintain its sovereignty and agency in international discussions about the conflict.
Bilateral Track: US-Russia Discussions in Saudi Arabia
Acknowledging the reported US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, Zelensky suggested a potential “bilateral track” to these discussions, conceding that these nations have a right to discuss bilateral issues. He noted that while such talks had been mentioned previously, they are now being publicly acknowledged. This recognition of a separate US-Russia dialogue provides context for Ukraine’s exclusion and its subsequent rejection of the process.
Visit to Saudi Arabia: Separate from Negotiation Track
President Zelensky clarified that his upcoming official visit to Saudi Arabia is unrelated to these negotiation reports. He stated that the visit, scheduled for the following day, is for separate purposes. However, he also indicated his intention to inquire about the reported negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, suggesting a degree of concern and a need for clarification from the Saudi side.
Seeking Lower Oil Prices: Zelensky’s Appeal to Trump’s Influence
In a notable aside, Zelensky raised the issue of global oil prices during his comments. He expressed his belief that US President Donald Trump possesses significant leverage to influence and potentially lower oil prices. “I do not know who can succeed in reducing prices. I believe that the biggest resource for this is with President Trump, that he is the strongest in this direction in energy and has this in his hands. And I think that if he set a goal, he can,” Zelensky stated. This comment introduces an additional dimension to Zelensky’s public statements, linking geopolitical negotiations with economic factors and appealing to Trump’s potential role.