A high-level diplomatic meeting took place in Saudi Arabia today, where top Russian and U.S. officials met to discuss a potential agreement to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. However, notably absent from the talks was Ukraine itself—an exclusion that has drawn strong criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
President Zelensky has made it clear that Kyiv will not acknowledge or accept any decisions made about Ukraine without its direct participation.
Speaking during an official visit to Turkey, he expressed frustration over the U.S.-Russia negotiations, stating: “Talks are taking place between representatives of Russia and representatives of the United States of America. About Ukraine—about Ukraine again—and without Ukraine.“
Zelensky emphasized that any discussions shaping the future of Ukraine should include not only Kyiv but also key European stakeholders such as the European Union, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
He underscored the importance of ensuring that security guarantees for Ukraine are established in collaboration with its allies, rather than being decided by external powers alone.
President Zelensky was initially scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia a day after the U.S.-Russia talks. However, he has now postponed his trip until March 10. While he has not provided specific reasons for the delay, the timing suggests it may be linked to his concerns over the negotiations taking place without Ukraine’s direct involvement.
Amid growing diplomatic efforts, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that President Donald Trump is pushing for a swift resolution to the war. He urged all parties involved to accelerate peace talks in order to bring an end to the years-long conflict.