Tue Feb 18 23:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Zelenskyy Rejects US-Russia Ukraine War Talks Without Kyiv’s Involvement

**RIYADH/ANKARA** – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected any peace negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine that exclude Kyiv, following a meeting between US and Russian officials in Riyadh. The US and Russia agreed to form teams to explore ending the conflict, but the talks took place without Ukrainian representation.

Zelenskyy, speaking during a visit to Turkey, stated that “no decision can be made without Ukraine on how to end the war in Ukraine.” He postponed a planned trip to Riyadh until March 10th, citing a desire to avoid any perception of tacit agreement to decisions made without Ukrainian input.

While US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov agreed to establish a consultation mechanism and high-level teams to work towards a resolution, Russia simultaneously reiterated its opposition to Ukraine joining NATO, a key demand for Kyiv. The Kremlin asserted that Ukraine’s EU membership aspirations were acceptable, but NATO accession was not. Russia also demanded that NATO retract its 2008 Bucharest promise of eventual Ukrainian membership.

The US, while stating that the EU would eventually be involved in negotiations, faced criticism for its perceived concessions to Moscow. Concerns were raised by European leaders following reports that the Trump administration had earlier ruled out Ukrainian NATO membership and suggested Kyiv’s regaining of occupied territories was unrealistic.

Amidst ongoing intense fighting along the eastern front, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan offered Turkey as a potential venue for future talks, highlighting the Istanbul talks of 2022 as a precedent for productive dialogue. Zelenskyy, however, insisted that a just peace requires the participation of the US, Ukraine, and Europe in discussions regarding security guarantees for Ukraine. The situation remains tense, with both sides holding firm to their positions.

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