Ukraine Excluded from US-Russia Talks Amid Ongoing Conflict and Violence
Ukraine will not participate in US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia following its exclusion from the invitation. A recent Russian drone attack on Dolynska injured a mother and her children, illustrating ongoing violence. Meanwhile, European leaders express readiness to ensure Ukraine’s security while discouraging ceasefires that lack negotiations with Russia. US-Russia economic ties and diplomatic maneuvers further complicate the situation.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has confirmed that his nation will not participate in forthcoming discussions in Saudi Arabia, as it has not been invited. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian regional official reported a drone strike by Russia on Dolynska, resulting in injuries to a woman and her two children and prompting the evacuation of residents from 38 damaged apartments. Andriy Raikovych, the Kirovohrad region’s governor, described it as “a difficult night for the Kirovohrad region,” noting the civilian casualties.
China has expressed support for the US-Russia talks and called for the inclusion of all stakeholders. This sentiment aligns with European leaders’ warnings that Ukraine should not agree to a ceasefire without a formal peace deal with Russia. They are prepared to offer security assurances to Ukraine, stressing the necessity of negotiation amidst ongoing tensions.
Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, emphasized the importance of the scheduled talks between Russian and US officials, indicating that US oil companies that exited Russia may eventually return due to significant monetary losses incurred. This underscores broader economic implications amid the conflict, as Dmitriev noted the estimated $300 billion loss experienced by US businesses.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the initiation of Russia-US discussions would not alter Russia’s cooperation with Iran particularly regarding its nuclear issues. Furthermore, President Trump is seen reviving US-Russia dialogue through the engagement of top diplomat Marco Rubio with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, while excluding European leaders and Zelenskyy from these crucial negotiations.
As a recap, European leaders reaffirmed their readiness to guarantee security for Ukraine, highlighting the risks of a ceasefire without a substantial peace agreement with Moscow. This commitment arose during a meeting convened by French President Emmanuel Macron, reacting to the marginalization of European and Ukrainian leadership by President Trump in negotiations aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict.
In conclusion, Ukraine has opted out of talks led by the US and Russia due to a lack of invitation, amidst a backdrop of continued military aggression from Russia. The context is marked by strong reactions from both China and Europe concerning the omission of Ukraine in critical negotiations. Notably, economic ramifications of the conflict are significant, with major US financial interests involved, raising concerns about the broader consequences of diplomatic decisions made without Ukrainian representation.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
