Zelensky reschedules Saudi visit amid crucial Kyiv talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has canceled his visit to Saudi Arabia initially scheduled for Wednesday. It has now been rescheduled to March 10th. Zelensky mentioned that the change precedes a meeting with the U.S. delegation in Kyiv.
The President of Ukraine announced the rescheduling of his Wednesday visit to Saudi Arabia. The visit has been moved to March 10th, due to the anticipated meeting with the U.S. delegation in Kyiv.
"We are absolutely honest and open. I don’t want any coincidences. That’s why I’m not going to Saudi Arabia," Zelensky remarked at a press conference in Ankara.
Talks on ending the war. Moved to March 10th
Zelensky commented on Tuesday's discussions in Riyadh between the U.S. and Russian delegations. - You cannot make decisions without Ukraine on how to end the war in Ukraine, on any conditions," he stated.
The Ukrainian President expressed that Kyiv was not invited to Tuesday's meeting, which was unexpected for the Ukrainian authorities. "I am convinced that for Ukraine, our region, and Europe, it is essential that any talks about ending the war do not occur behind the backs of those affected by Russian aggression" - he declared.
Zelensky noted that Ukraine, Europe, including the EU, the United Kingdom, and Turkey, should be involved in the talks and in developing security guarantees. "We know that they [US] and several other European partners do not support our membership in NATO," he added, suggesting that this aligns with Russia's wishes.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan highlighted that Zelensky's visit to Turkey is happening at a time when significant changes might occur in the dynamics of the war in Ukraine. Erdogan expressed his belief that Turkey is the ideal venue for future talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the USA.
Erdogan also reminded that Turkey hosted Ukrainian-Russian talks in March 2022. He mentioned Turkey's involvement in the grain initiative, which facilitated the export of Ukrainian grain through Black Sea ports.
