Ukraine will not participate in U.S.-Russian talks due to not being informed, despite U.S. claims of an invitation. President Zelensky expressed confusion over the meeting’s existence. U.S. envoy Witkoff emphasizes inclusivity, while Ukrainian officials reject any agreements made without their involvement. European leaders are meeting to discuss concerns over Trump’s peace process proposal with Putin.
Ukraine has announced that it will not participate in upcoming talks between U.S. and Russian officials on resolving the war, citing a lack of awareness about the meeting. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff disclosed his plans to travel to Saudi Arabia for discussions aimed at ending the Ukraine conflict, following Donald Trump’s decision to engage with Vladimir Putin. However, Ukrainian officials claim they were not informed of the meetings despite U.S. assertions of an invitation.
President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed confusion over the meeting, stating, “I saw that someone said that there would be a meeting in Saudi Arabia. I do not know what it is,” and considered their exclusion as indicative of an unserious approach. Witkoff indicated that he would attend the talks with the national security advisor in the hopes of making substantial progress, emphasizing the importance of inclusive dialogue.
The scheduled discussions in Saudi Arabia mark a significant rare opportunity for high-level U.S. and Russian interaction, ahead of a potential meeting between Trump and Putin. Ukrainian and some European leaders voiced their dissatisfaction about being sidelined from the negotiations, with Ukraine explicitly stating it would not adhere to any agreements reached in absence.
Contrary to claims of exclusion, Witkoff asserted, “I don’t think this is about excluding anybody. In fact, it’s about including everybody,” suggesting a broader aim at involved parties. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron is set to host an emergency summit with European leaders to discuss the situation, reflecting collective European concerns over Trump’s approach to initiating peace talks.
Participants in the summit include high-profile leaders such as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The European reaction is critical after Trump’s revelation that he had communicated with Putin without prior consultation, prompting concerns and apprehension among allies.
In summary, Ukraine is not attending crucial U.S.-Russian talks regarding the war, stemming from a lack of notification. U.S. envoy Witkoff insists on inclusivity in the dialogue, while European leaders express frustration at being sidelined in discussions. The meetings in Saudi Arabia are significant, representing a rare opportunity for direct communication between U.S. and Russian officials, and raising geopolitical tensions among allies regarding Trump’s unilateral approach.
Original Source: www.standard.co.uk
