Ukraine’s Presidential Office announced that Ukraine will not join the US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia set for March 23. The focus will be on the outcomes of a call between President Zelenskyy and President Trump, particularly after prior tensions during their last meeting. US National Security Advisor Waltz confirmed the talks aim to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine despite recent challenges posed by Russia.
The Presidential Office of Ukraine has confirmed that the nation will not participate in the upcoming US-Russia talks scheduled for March 23 in Saudi Arabia. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Presidential Office, stated that the negotiations are solely between the US and Russia, thus Ukraine has no intentions of being involved at this stage.
Podolyak emphasized the importance of waiting for the outcome of the upcoming phone call between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump. This conversation is crucial for understanding the context around the discussions between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which will shape Ukraine’s future engagement in negotiations.
Reflecting on a previous meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy that was marred by emotional tensions, Podolyak pointed out that unresolved contradictions from that interaction have implications for the talks in Saudi Arabia. These issues have led to established communications between both official and unofficial channels regarding the negotiations.
The upcoming talks between the US and Russia aim to explore a ceasefire in Ukraine, as announced by US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. The meeting, set to take place in Riyadh, will focus on expanding the partial ceasefire achieved through previous discussions between Trump and Putin. Notably, President Putin has rebuffed calls for a full ceasefire, yet he reportedly agreed to halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Zelenskyy and Trump are set to engage in their first phone conversation since their intense meeting at the White House on March 19. This discussion is anticipated to center on the outcomes of Trump’s dialogue with Putin, particularly regarding the prospects for peace in Ukraine and the nature of US-Russia relations.
In conclusion, Ukraine’s decision to abstain from the US-Russia talks highlights its intent to prioritize its interests in future negotiations. The pivotal phone call between Presidents Zelenskyy and Trump is expected to frame Ukraine’s role in any ongoing discussions, especially following the previous emotional meeting in Washington. As US-Russia dialogue resumes, the implications for Ukraine’s conflict will undoubtedly unfold in the coming days.
Original Source: newsukraine.rbc.ua
