Russia and the United States are about to hold talks! Ukraine: Not in control, not participating, not recognizing

Introduction

According to Xinhua News Agency, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on the 17th that he will travel to Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, and hold talks with U.S. representatives on the 18th.

Additionally, Russian news agency TASS reported on the 17th, citing Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, that the upcoming U.S.-Russia talks on the 18th are primarily aimed at restoring comprehensive relations between the two countries, discussing arrangements for a meeting between the two presidents, and preparing for potential negotiations regarding the Ukraine issue.

Furthermore, according to a report by Bloomberg News on February 16, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will participate in peace negotiations with Russia. This marks the first clear statement from the White House that Ukraine will be allowed to sit at the table when the U.S. and Russia discuss ending the conflict that began in 2022.

On the 17th local time, Ukrainian President Zelensky told the media that Ukraine is not aware of the information regarding the U.S.-Russia talks that are said to be held in Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine will not participate in these talks nor recognize any agreements reached by the negotiating parties.

Previously, CNN reported on the 16th local time that multiple sources indicated that the U.S. and Russia would begin talks on the Ukraine issue on the 18th, with Saudi Arabia acting as a mediator.

Russian Foreign Minister to Visit Saudi Arabia to Discuss Arrangements for Presidential Meeting

Xinhua News Agency Moscow, February 17 (Reporter Liu Kai) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on the 17th that he will travel to Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, and hold talks with U.S. representatives on the 18th.

Lavrov made this statement at a press conference following a meeting with visiting Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic. He expressed that Russia hopes to understand the U.S. position during the talks in Riyadh and respond accordingly. After the talks, he will report the results to Russian leadership, and subsequent arrangements will be decided by the Russian leadership.

Regarding whether to invite Europe to participate in negotiations on the Ukraine issue, Lavrov stated that Russia is unclear about what Europe can contribute at the negotiation table concerning Ukraine. The European stance on the Ukraine issue has not changed. If Europe verbally wishes to end the conflict but actually hopes to continue the war, "then why invite them?"

Additionally, TASS reported on the 17th, citing Kremlin spokesperson Peskov, that based on President Putin's instructions, Lavrov and presidential aide Ushakov traveled to Riyadh on the 17th. The U.S.-Russia talks on the 18th are mainly aimed at restoring comprehensive relations between the two countries, discussing arrangements for a presidential meeting, and preparing for potential negotiations regarding the Ukraine issue.

Recently, President Trump has spoken with both Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky, stating that both sides agree to "work closely" to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict and send their respective teams to "immediately begin negotiations." On the 16th, Trump claimed that he would "soon" meet with Putin in Saudi Arabia. The possibility of separate U.S.-Russia negotiations has raised concerns in Europe about being excluded from the Ukraine peace process.

"White House Makes First Clear Statement"

According to a report by Bloomberg News on February 16, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Ukrainian President Zelensky will participate in peace negotiations with Russia. Just a day earlier, senior U.S. advisors hinted that negotiations might proceed without him On the 16th, Trump said in response to a reporter's question: "He will be involved, yes." He did not specify whether Zelensky or his aides would attend the preliminary talks in Saudi Arabia this week or the subsequent leaders' summit.

This is the first time the White House has clearly stated that Ukraine will be allowed to sit at the table when the U.S. and Russia discuss ending the conflict that began in 2022.

Trump, who had a "lengthy and productive" call with Putin on the 12th, said he believes the Russian president has no further territorial ambitions regarding Ukraine.

Trump stated: "No, I think he wants to stop. That was my question to him because if he continues, it will be a big problem for us."

Earlier, U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz was directly asked whether Zelensky would be involved and expressed opposition. He said it would be "very wise" for the Ukrainian president to accept Trump's proposal to let the U.S. take half of Ukraine's rare earth mineral resources in exchange for continued U.S. support.

He said: "The American people deserve compensation and should receive some return for the billions of dollars they have invested in this war."

Latest! Ukrainian Delegation Arrives in Saudi Arabia

According to the Associated Press on February 16, amid speculation about U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a Ukrainian minister said on the 16th that a Ukrainian delegation has arrived in Saudi Arabia for the meeting and is preparing for a possible visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Saudi Arabia.

Reportedly, Ukraine's Minister of Economy and First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko did not clarify whether Zelensky's potential trip to Saudi Arabia is related to the previously announced U.S.-Russia talks. She posted on Facebook that the focus of the Ukrainian delegation is to strengthen economic ties, as Kyiv "is ready to sign important economic agreements with countries in the region."

Reports indicate that Svyrydenko did not disclose any information about when Zelensky might travel to Saudi Arabia or who he might meet. No further details are currently available.

Previously, Zelensky's advisor Mykhailo Podolyak denied on the 15th that Ukraine would participate in the planned U.S.-Russia meeting in Saudi Arabia.

Podolyak stated on Ukrainian television: "There is nothing worth discussing at the negotiating table."

Reports indicate that Svyrydenko made her statement hours after Trump's Middle East envoy Steven Witkoff announced that a high-level U.S.-Russia meeting would soon be held in Saudi Arabia to discuss resolving the Ukraine war through negotiations.

Zelensky: Ukraine is not aware of the U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia

On the 17th local time, Ukrainian President Zelensky told the media that Ukraine is not aware of the information regarding the U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine will not participate in the talks nor recognize any agreements reached by the negotiating parties.

Zelensky stated that all countries willing to provide security guarantees to Ukraine should participate in the negotiations. Additionally, the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant should be part of the security guarantees Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump spoke on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stating that both the U.S. and Russia agreed to "work closely" to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict and to send their respective teams to "immediately begin negotiations." On the 16th of this month, Trump mentioned that he would "soon" meet with Putin in Saudi Arabia. At the same time, Trump believes that Zelensky will participate in negotiations regarding Ukraine.

Leak: U.S. and Russia will hold talks, with Saudi Arabia as mediator

According to a report by the Associated Press on February 16, a U.S. official stated that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead a delegation to Saudi Arabia to hold direct talks with Russian officials in the coming days to seek an end to nearly three years of war between Moscow and Ukraine.

The official, who requested anonymity, indicated that U.S. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and Middle East Special Envoy Steven Witkoff are also expected to participate in the talks in Riyadh.

The official added that the government believes negotiations are still in the early stages, and the final attendees of the anticipated talks may change.

This visit follows a phone call between U.S. President Trump and Russian President Putin on the 12th. This call overturned years of U.S. policy and ended Moscow's isolation due to its military invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Trump also had a separate call with Zelensky.

It is currently unclear whether any Ukrainians will participate in the talks.

In an interview with Fox News Channel's "Sunday Morning Futures," Witkoff stated that he and Waltz would "conduct talks as directed by the president" and hope to "make some really good progress on the Russia-Ukraine issue."

Witkoff did not specify who they would meet with or what would be discussed, but he mentioned that he would depart for Saudi Arabia on the evening of the 16th.

Trump's statement has triggered significant diplomatic upheaval, potentially signaling a watershed moment for Ukraine and Europe.

U.S. media: U.S. and Russia will hold talks on Ukraine, with Saudi Arabia as mediator

According to CNN on the 16th, multiple sources reported that the U.S. and Russia will begin talks on the Ukraine issue on the 18th, with Saudi Arabia serving as the mediator.

A Saudi official stated that Saudi Arabia will not only host the talks but will also participate in mediation.

Reports indicate that U.S. Secretary of State Rubio, Presidential Middle East Envoy Witkoff, and National Security Advisor Waltz are all expected to attend the talks. An unnamed Ukrainian official stated that Kyiv would not send representatives to the talks.

CNN noted that Saudi Arabia plays an important role in the Trump administration's foreign policy. The Saudi Crown Prince facilitated the release of American citizen Paul Whelan, who was convicted in Russia. In 2017, Trump made his first foreign visit as president to Saudi Arabia.

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