Zelenskyy left on sidelines as US, Russia discuss Ukraine's future

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy finds himself sidelined as US and Russian officials hold high-level talks in Riyadh about the future of his country.

While US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov convened in the Saudi capital on February 18, Zelenskyy was in Türkiye on a regional tour, seeking to garner international support, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

He is now heading to Riyadh in hopes of receiving a readout from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman regarding the US-Russia discussions.

"I will ask what he knows about this,” Zelenskyy said during an official visit to the United Arab Emirates. “Just curious,” he added.

His search for information underscores the dramatic shift in US diplomacy, as the Biden administration explored potential pathways to end the ongoing war. This diplomatic pivot follows a call last week between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling a move towards negotiations without Ukraine’s direct involvement.

Prince Mohammed had reportedly wanted Zelenskyy to be represented at the talks, but both Washington and Moscow insisted on excluding the Ukrainian president. Despite this, the Saudi Crown Prince plans to brief Zelenskyy on the kingdom's role in the talks, as well as its discussions with both Russian and US officials.

Zelenskyy, who has been hailed globally for his defiant leadership during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, expressed concerns about the negotiations, insisting that Ukraine should be included in any dialogue that impacts its future. “We cannot recognize anything or any agreements about us without us," he stated, underlining Ukraine’s position that any deal must involve Ukrainian input.

As US diplomacy shifts and the prospect of a Trump-Putin summit looms, Zelenskyy faces his greatest challenge yet: to avoid a potential peace deal between the US and Russia that may undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and security. With mounting pressure, the Ukrainian leader remains determined, insisting that no external pressure can shake his resolve or Ukraine's fight for independence.

By Vafa Guliyeva