Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday he had postponed his visit to Saudi Arabia, which was planned for Wednesday. He reiterated that negotiations on ending the war with Russia could not be conducted without Ukraine’s involvement.
Ukraine was not represented at Tuesday’s talks between the U.S. and Russia in Riyadh.
Zelenskyy was not invited to the meeting, but he had been due to travel to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
“We want no one to decide anything behind our backs... No decision can be made without Ukraine on how to end the war in Ukraine,” Zelenskyy told reporters during a visit to Turkey, where he held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Zelenskyy said that he postponed his trip to Riyadh until March 10.
Zelenskyy said that neither Kyiv nor Moscow could win on the battlefield as the war with Russia approaches its three-year mark next week.
Fierce fighting rages on along more than 1,000 km (600 miles) of front line, with Russian troops slowly but steadily advancing in the eastern Donetsk region. Ukraine seized control of a small part of Russia’s Kursk region in a surprise attack launched across the border in August 2024.
“We want no one to decide anything behind our backs... No decision can be made without Ukraine on how to end the war in Ukraine,” Zelenskyy told reporters during a visit to Turkey, where he held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Zelenskyy said that he postponed his trip to Riyadh until March 10.
Zelenskyy said that neither Kyiv nor Moscow could win on the battlefield as the war with Russia approaches its three-year mark next week.
Fierce fighting rages on along more than 1,000 km (600 miles) of front line, with Russian troops slowly but steadily advancing in the eastern Donetsk region. Ukraine seized control of a small part of Russia’s Kursk region in a surprise attack launched across the border in August 2024.
Zelenskyy said that to ensure a just peace, the United States, Ukraine and Europe must participate in the talks on security guarantees for Kyiv. Zelenskyy also discussed them at the talks with Erdoğan.
Speaking at the joint news conference with Zelenskyy, Turkey’s Erdoğan said that Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty were indisputable in the eyes of Ankara.
He said: “In my meeting with Mr. Zelenskyy, I expressed Turkey’s strong support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.
“At the same time, I emphasised that we will provide all kinds of support to conclude the negotiation process with a lasting peace.”
He added that Turkey would be an appropriate venue for any possible peace talks involving Russia and the United States.
Erdoğan also said that U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent diplomatic initiative to seek an end to the Ukraine-Russia war was aligned with Turkey’s policy since the start of the conflict three years ago.
Ukraine’s sovereignty indisputable for Turkey
Speaking at the joint news conference with Zelenskyy, Turkey’s Erdoğan said that Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty were indisputable in the eyes of Ankara.
He said: “In my meeting with Mr. Zelenskyy, I expressed Turkey’s strong support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.
“At the same time, I emphasised that we will provide all kinds of support to conclude the negotiation process with a lasting peace.”
He added that Turkey would be an appropriate venue for any possible peace talks involving Russia and the United States.
Erdoğan also said that U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent diplomatic initiative to seek an end to the Ukraine-Russia war was aligned with Turkey’s policy since the start of the conflict three years ago.
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