Ukrainian President Zelensky announced a meeting between Ukrainian and U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia aimed at negotiating a ceasefire with Russia. He criticized Russian demands for halting military aid to Ukraine and expressed disappointment over NATO membership discussions being sidelined. Russia confirmed its participation in separate talks, while Zelensky ruled out U.S. ownership of Ukrainian energy facilities, although he is open to discussions on modernization efforts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian and U.S. officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia for discussions aimed at ending the ongoing war with Russia. The meeting, scheduled for Monday, will involve technical teams from both nations to establish terms for an energy and infrastructure ceasefire. Zelensky expressed his expectation that the meeting would lead to subsequent U.S. diplomatic efforts to address gaps with Moscow.
Zelensky criticized Russia’s pre-conditions, which included demands for the U.S. to cease military assistance and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, asserting that such stipulations only serve to prolong the conflict. He expressed disappointment over the withdrawal of Ukraine’s NATO membership discussions, emphasizing the importance of joining NATO to resolve various issues, while lamenting the United States’ lack of support for this aspiration.
In response to the forthcoming talks, Russia confirmed its attendance, sending a negotiation team led by Senator Grigory Karasin and intelligence advisor Sergey Beseda. The focus of their discussions is expected to revolve around the potential resumption of the 2022 Black Sea initiative, which previously facilitated unhindered passage for Ukrainian grain and Russian fertilizer exports, a deal that Russia ended in July 2023.
Kislyak from Russia remarked that the dialogue would not alter Moscow’s stance, insisting on the cessation of U.S. military support to Ukraine as a prerequisite for discussions. Meanwhile, Zelensky ruled out the notion of U.S. ownership of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, notably the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station, emphasizing its rightful status as state-owned property of Ukraine and the challenges posed by Russia’s seizure of the facility.
However, Zelensky did express openness to U.S. plans aimed at revitalizing the nuclear power plant, provided the discussions focus on modernization rather than ownership. He refuted media claims alleging that U.S. control of the entire energy sector was on the table, asserting that Ukraine’s integration with the European energy grid already offered substantial security guarantees for its energy infrastructure.
In summary, President Zelensky’s comments highlight the complexities surrounding Ukraine’s negotiations with the United States and Russia. He underscores the need for constructive dialogue to establish a ceasefire and protect Ukraine’s interests while firmly rejecting unwarranted Russian demands. The upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia are pivotal as they may lead to significant diplomatic efforts toward ending the conflict. Meanwhile, the situation concerning Ukraine’s energy infrastructure remains a sensitive and critical issue.
Original Source: www.upi.com
