Ukrainian President Zelensky's statement that he does not recognize negotiations without the participation of Ukraine
US President Donald Trump has said he has the power to end the Russia-Ukraine war. After a meeting between the US and Russia in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Trump said he has the power to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump says he is more confident that a peace deal can be achieved in Ukraine. But the Ukrainian side was not involved in Tuesday's talks. In the talks led by foreign ministers of both countries, Russia and the US agreed to end the war in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the two countries have decided to hold high-level talks for that. Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign policy advisor Yuri Usakov participated in the
talks with Lavrov from the Russian side. The US team, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, included National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Wittkoff. Prince and Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud and National Security Adviser Musaid bin Mohammed Al-Aiwan participated in the talks on behalf of the host Saudi Arabia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that it was surprising that his country was not invited to the talks. In response, President Trump said Ukraine "could have made a deal" earlier to end the war. After talks between the US and Russia, President Zelensky has postponed his visit to Saudi Arabia scheduled for this week until March 10. He has repeatedly stated that he will not recognize negotiations without the involvement of Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that no one has been sidelined in the negotiations. He says that he is confident that the serious process of ending the Russian war will be successful. Rubio said Tuesday's talks were "the first step in a long and difficult journey." European countries have also said that they will not recognize the talks without the participation of Ukraine. With the start of negotiations between the US and Russia, European countries including France, Britain, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain and Denmark have united in defense of Ukraine. They say that no agreement can be reached without Ukraine or without the involvement of Europe.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned that NATO troops in Ukraine will not be accepted as part of any peace deal. Russia has made it clear that the matter of joining the European Union is a decision of Russia-Ukraine and that it has nothing to do with it. But Russia has said that it will not make any agreement on Ukraine security, defense or military alliance.
The war began when Russia launched an attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022. During the three-year-long war, both countries suffered heavy losses. During this period, Russia has taken control of at least 20 percent of the territory. Ukraine has also been carrying out drone attacks on Russian ships, military vehicles and some cities. At least 40,000 Ukrainians have died as a result of the Russian invasion. 6.8 million Ukrainians have been forced to leave the country, and 4.4 million have been internally displaced. 1.46 million people are said to be in need of humanitarian assistance.
Ukraine has received $4.7 billion in aid since the Russian invasion. Of this, the US has provided a grant worth 1 trillion 18 billion dollars. But with Trump assuming the office of the US president, it is seen that the military and other assistance that Ukraine has been receiving will stop.
The Trump administration has said that Ukraine should own half of its mineral resources in exchange for its help in fighting Russia. Finance Minister Scott Bessant, in a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky last Wednesday, stipulated that half of the minerals should be given for the support so far and for its continuation. But Ukraine has rejected the conditions set by the Trump administration.
Ukrainian officials have said that they are seeking ownership of minerals as well as other natural resources, oil and gas. With Zelensky rejecting the offer, Trump is expected to freeze military and economic aid and initiate an end-to-war initiative.
