Zelensky: Ukraine is fully committed to engage in dialogue with USA
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Saturday that Ukraine is "fully committed" to engaging in constructive dialogue with U.S. representatives next week in Saudi Arabia to explore ways to end the war with Russia, according to Reuters.
Following a tense meeting with Zelensky on March 28 in the Oval Office, U.S. President Donald Trump suspended military aid to Ukraine and halted intelligence-sharing with Kyiv. Trump accused Zelensky of lacking seriousness in pursuing a peace agreement with Russia, which invaded Ukraine three years ago and has occupied 20% of its territory.
"Ukraine has sought peace from the very first moment of this war. Realistic proposals are on the table. The key is to act swiftly and effectively," Zelensky stated in a post on X.
He reaffirmed his plans to travel to Saudi Arabia next week. After his meeting on Monday with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Ukrainian diplomatic and military representatives will remain for further discussions with the U.S. delegation on Tuesday. "We are fully committed to a constructive dialogue and hope to discuss and agree on necessary decisions and steps," Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian delegation will include Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Zelensky’s Chief of Staff Andrii Yermak, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
Trump's special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, also confirmed ongoing discussions with Ukraine on a framework agreement to end the three-year war with Russia. A meeting with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia has been scheduled for next week.
In February, Riyadh hosted initial talks between U.S. and Russian officials to discuss potential ways to end what has become the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War II. Ukraine was excluded from those discussions, causing concern in Kyiv and among its European allies.
Zelensky later met with Trump at the White House on February 28, but the meeting escalated into a public confrontation in front of the global press over peace efforts.
Zelensky’s statement on Saturday followed a phone call on Friday between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, during which Rubio conveyed Trump’s determination to end the Russia-Ukraine war as soon as possible.
On Friday, after initially threatening Russia with sanctions in a social media post for its continued large-scale attacks on Ukraine, Trump again stirred controversy by telling reporters in the Oval Office that Vladimir Putin was "doing what anyone would do" after the U.S. ceased providing military aid and intelligence to Kyiv. Trump also remarked that he found it "easier" to work with Russia than with Ukraine and reiterated his claim that Putin "wants to end the war," despite Moscow sending signals to the contrary.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
