U.S. and Russia negotiations in Saudi Arabia: Ukraine will not participate and does not recognize them, says Zelensky.

US and Russia Talks in Saudi Arabia: Ukraine Will Not Participate and Will Not Recognize Them, Says Zelensky

Ukraine will not take part in the negotiations between Russia and the United States set to occur in Saudi Arabia and will not acknowledge any agreements concerning Ukraine without its participation.

This statement was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 17 during a video call with journalists following his visit to the UAE. The agency Interfax-Ukraine reported his remarks, according to NV.

“Ukraine will not be participating (in the negotiations in Saudi Arabia). Ukraine was not informed about this. And Ukraine considers any negotiations concerning Ukraine without Ukraine (as such) to be non-viable. We cannot acknowledge anything or any agreements about us without us. And we will not recognize such agreements,” Zelensky told journalists when commenting on the talks in Saudi Arabia between representatives of Russia and the US.

The president believes that the talks between the US and Russia involve a bilateral track, “and they [Washington and Moscow] have the right to do so if they have bilateral issues.” Zelensky added that this has been discussed before, but only now “it has become public.”

According to the Ukrainian president, his official visit to Saudi Arabia on February 18 “has no connection with the matters occurring in Saudi Arabia at the level of representatives from the United States and Russia.”

Zelensky also mentioned that he would raise questions regarding the negotiations in his discussions with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

Additionally, the president stated that during his visit, he would address the issue of reducing oil prices and believes that this could be achieved by US President Donald Trump.

“I don’t know who might succeed in lowering prices. I believe that the greatest resource for this is indeed President Trump, as he is the strongest in this area, in energy, and has control over it. And I think that if he sets a goal, he will be able to achieve it,” added Zelensky.