Zelenskyy on U.S.-Russia Talks: “If We Didn’t Accept These Ultimatums at the Most Difficult Moment, Why Would We Now?”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that negotiations between Russian and U.S. representatives in Saudi Arabia are taking place without Ukraine’s involvement, emphasizing that Ukraine will never accept Russia’s ultimatums. The President made the statement during a press conference in Ankara on February 18.

“It seems to me that some kind of talks are happening right now, and they carry the same mood as before. But these talks are between Russian representatives and U.S. representatives. About Ukraine, again about Ukraine, but without Ukraine. It’s interesting—if we didn’t accept these ultimatums at the most difficult moment, why would anyone think we would now?” Zelenskyy said.

He explained that when international military aid to Ukraine began at various levels following Russia’s full-scale invasion, Moscow issued ultimatums demanding a reduction in Ukraine’s Armed Forces, recognition of occupied territories as Russian, and the installation of a pro-Kremlin government in Ukraine that would be fully subordinate to Putin.

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine has never agreed to any deals with Russia—whether during the occupation of Kyiv region, negotiations in Belarus, or meetings in Turkey.

“There were no agreements during the talks in Turkey with the Russians. As President of Ukraine, I have never guaranteed anything to anyone or confirmed anything to anyone. And I certainly did not and will not accept Russian ultimatums,” he asserted.

Zelenskyy’s visit to Türkiye coincided with U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia to which Ukraine was not invited. The Ukrainian President stated that Kyiv will not recognize any agreements concerning Ukraine made without its involvement.

Previously, senior diplomats from the United States and Russia met in Saudi Arabia to discuss restoring ties and negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announcing that the sides reached an agreement on four principles, the Associated Press reported on February 18.