Zelensky will not go to Saudi Arabia, accuses the US and Russia of negotiating behind his back

The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that he was postponing his visit to Saudi Arabia in reaction to the ongoing negotiations between the United States and Russia, organized without the participation of Ukraine.

«We were not invited to this Russo-American meeting in Saudi Arabia. It was a surprise for us. I think it was a surprise for many people», declared Zelensky.

These talks are the first direct negotiations between Washington and Moscow since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022.

The Russian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, met with American Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior officials.

Zelensky reiterated that the future of Ukraine cannot be decided without the direct participation of Kyiv and emphasized that any agreement negotiated without his country would be unacceptable.

The Ukrainian president is now awaiting discussions with American officials, confirming that Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, will arrive in Kyiv on February 19.

Nevertheless, Zelensky maintained a dialogue with Saudi Arabia, announcing that he had spoken with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and postponed his visit to Riyadh to March 10.

On February 17, in an interview with the German channel ARD, Zelensky warned against a hastily concluded peace agreement, emphasizing that his country would not recognize any arrangement made without its participation.

He also reminded that attempts at forced peace could lead to a freeze of the conflict rather than a true resolution, giving Russia the opportunity to prepare new offensives.

The involvement of Ukraine in future discussions between Washington and Moscow remains uncertain, raising concerns within the international community, particularly in Europe.

This situation highlights the diplomatic complexity of the conflict, where Kyiv must not only face Moscow but also deal with Trump’s cavalier decisions, which demand 50% of Ukraine’s mining resources in exchange for aid. Meanwhile, Washington sidelines Zelensky from essential talks with Russia, weakening Ukraine.