Ukraine President Zelenskyj Postpones Visit to Saudi Arabia
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has announced the postponement of his scheduled visit to Saudi Arabia this week. He made this statement during a press conference in Ankara alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday afternoon.
Background
On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Zelenskyj was supposed to travel to Riyadh on Wednesday, but Ukraine did not participate in the discussions.
During the press conference, Zelenskyj criticized the meeting between Rubio and Lavrov, stating, “Negotiations about Ukraine should include Ukraine.” Both the US and Russia described the talks as constructive and expressed a desire to establish negotiation teams as soon as possible.
Zelenskyj revealed that his visit to Riyadh has been rescheduled for March 10, as he awaits the visit of the US delegation to Kyiv. Keith Kellogg, Donald Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, is set to visit Kyiv on February 20.
Proposal for Talks in Turkey
Zelenskyj reiterated the importance of Ukraine’s involvement in negotiations concerning its own fate. He emphasized that Turkey and Europe must be part of the talks, stating that there can be no solution without them.
Erdogan expressed Turkey’s support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, suggesting that Turkey would be a suitable location for peace talks.
During the press conference, Zelenskyj highlighted that neither Ukraine nor Russia is in a position to win on the battlefield in Ukraine.
Election Considerations
Lavrov stated, according to Reuters, that the presence of NATO forces in Ukraine is unacceptable to Russia, even under a different flag. Fox News reported a potential peace plan that includes a ceasefire, elections in Ukraine, and a peace agreement for the conflict.
Russia initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Diplomatic sources suggest that holding new elections in Ukraine could be crucial for negotiating a peace deal.
According to Fox News sources, both the US and Russia believe that President Zelenskyj would have poor chances of winning an election in Ukraine. They suggest that Putin views the likelihood of electing a pro-Russian puppet as high, believing that other candidates would be more flexible in negotiations.
Key Insights
Fox News correspondent Jacqui Heinrich, the senior White House correspondent for the channel, highlighted the importance of new elections in Ukraine for a successful resolution. She referenced foreign diplomatic sources indicating that the issue of new elections in Ukraine could be contentious, given Russia’s track record of holding questionable elections and Ukrainian opposition to installing a pro-Russian leader.
Conclusion
The geopolitical dynamics surrounding Ukraine, Russia, and the involvement of international players like the US and Turkey in peace talks reflect a complex and evolving situation. The postponement of Zelenskyj’s visit to Saudi Arabia underscores the significance of ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the conflict in Ukraine.
FAQs
Why did President Zelenskyj postpone his visit to Saudi Arabia?
President Zelenskyj postponed his visit to Saudi Arabia to await the arrival of the US delegation in Kyiv and to emphasize the importance of Ukraine’s participation in negotiations about its future.
What role do new elections play in the peace process?
New elections in Ukraine are seen as a potential key to negotiating a peace agreement, with Russia expressing interest in a leadership change that could lead to more favorable negotiation outcomes.