Ukraine was not informed about negotiations in Saudi Arabia and will not recognise any agreements concerning the country that do not involve its participation, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated.
Speaking to journalists, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine would not take part in any talks held in Saudi Arabia and dismissed any discussions about Ukraine without its direct involvement. His remarks came in response to reports of negotiations in the Gulf state between representatives of Russia and the United States.
“Ukraine will not participate. Ukraine knew nothing about this. Any negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine are meaningless. We cannot recognise any agreements made about us without us, and we will not recognise them,” Zelenskyy said.
He acknowledged that the discussions between Russian and US officials followed a bilateral track, which, in his view, they were entitled to pursue. However, he noted that while such talks had taken place before, they were now being openly acknowledged.
Zelenskyy’s comments come ahead of his official visit to Saudi Arabia, scheduled for tomorrow. He emphasised that his trip was unrelated to the ongoing negotiations between the US and Russian representatives in the country.
The Ukrainian president also stated that he would raise the issue of the talks with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. Additionally, he plans to discuss oil prices, expressing the belief that US President Donald Trump has the greatest ability to influence the market.
“I don’t know who can succeed in lowering prices. But I believe that President Trump has the most influence in this area, given his strength in the energy sector. If he sets this as his goal, I think he can achieve it,” Zelenskyy said.
His remarks underscore Kyiv’s firm stance that no agreements concerning Ukraine can be made without its participation. The statement also signals continued distrust of any back-channel diplomacy that does not directly involve the Ukrainian government.
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