Ukraine will not attend upcoming US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, as stated by Mykhailo Podolyak. The meeting will be bilateral and does not include Ukraine. Outcomes of the Trump-Zelenskyy call will determine future negotiations, amidst tensions from previous conversations. US-Russia negotiations on a ceasefire are set to resume, focusing on expanding the partial ceasefire.
The Ukrainian Presidential Office has declared that Ukraine will not join the upcoming US-Russia negotiations slated for March 23 in Saudi Arabia. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the President, specified that the discussions will be exclusively between the US and Russia, thus excluding Ukraine from participation.
Podolyak emphasized the necessity of waiting for the outcome of the phone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He indicated that the discussions following this call would influence future negotiations involving Ukraine.
He remarked, “The president wants to understand the contents of this call fully from Trump. The main thing is to understand how Trump sees the results of his call with Putin, and to draw conclusions from that.”
Reflecting on a previous meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, which was marked by tensions, Podolyak stated, “It was a fairly emotional conversation in the Oval Office, and it showed that contradictions had built up.” He noted that these issues have resurfaced in bilateral communications ahead of the talks in Saudi Arabia.
Moreover, US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz announced that US-Russia discussions on a ceasefire are imminent, with the meeting take place in Saudi Arabia. He noted that the objective will be to “expand the partial ceasefire” brokered by Trump with Russia.
In their recent exchange, Putin reportedly rejected a complete ceasefire proposed by Washington, insisting on unrealistic terms, although he did seemingly agree to halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. This situation further complicates the dynamics surrounding the phone call between President Zelenskyy and Trump, where they are expected to share perspectives on the developments with Putin.
In conclusion, Ukraine’s absence from the upcoming US-Russia talks illustrates its cautious stance amidst ongoing tensions. The significance of the discussions between Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy cannot be understated, as they will likely shape Ukraine’s future involvement in negotiations. Additionally, the evolving dynamics regarding the ceasefire and Russia’s commitments continue to affect regional stability.
Original Source: newsukraine.rbc.ua