Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sharply criticized the Trump administration’s negotiating tactics after being excluded from talks on Ukraine’s fate with Saudi officials. The meeting in Riyadh resulted in an agreement to establish teams to negotiate an end to the war and normalize relations, but Zelensky believes the US is seeking a quick cease-fire without considering Ukraine’s security needs.
Zelensky, who had planned to visit Riyadh as part of a tour of the Middle East, canceled his trip after discovering plans for the gathering through media reports. He stated that decisions on ending the war cannot be made without Ukraine and accused the US of trying to impose conditions on Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader emphasized the need for Ukraine’s participation in any settlement negotiations, saying terms “cannot be imposed” on Ukraine. Zelensky compared the Russia-US talks to a situation where someone doesn’t finish thinking and leaves quickly, referencing his own struggles with Russian accusations that he is an illegitimate leader due to Ukraine’s martial law.
The US has provided significant military and financial aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in 2022, but Zelensky believes the Trump administration is pressuring him for new elections before a final peace settlement. However, only Russia and the US are calling for elections soon in Ukraine.
As negotiations brought no immediate change in the war’s pace, artillery fire continued in Kyiv, repelling Russian exploding drones. Zelensky expressed hope to reach an agreement with the Trump administration that would exchange natural resources for military aid, but emphasized the need for security commitments from the US.
The European Union nations have collectively provided more military and financial aid to Ukraine than the US, and several heads of state met in Paris on Monday to discuss possible military assistance or peacekeeping troops.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/18/world/middleeast/ukraine-trump-russia-war-peace-talks.html