Could a ceasefire agreement be signed in Saudi Arabia? Zelenskyy’s response
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
It is currently unclear how the meeting between Ukraine, Russia, and the US in Saudi Arabia will conclude. However, it would be beneficial if it resulted in some progress that brings the parties closer to a full ceasefire, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this during a joint press conference with Czech President Petr Pavel.
"I have supported the US position on an unconditional ceasefire from the very beginning. Why? Because then there is no need for 10–20 technical-level meetings to discuss conditions. It is unconditional. I believe this is a faster option. However, we will not oppose any format or steps toward an unconditional ceasefire," Zelenskyy said.
According to him, the first step could be a ceasefire in the skies or the conditions discussed by US President Donald Trump during a phone call.
"He conveyed to me what they discussed with Putin — namely, not striking energy facilities or other civilian infrastructure with missiles or long-range weapons. There are questions — what is considered ‘other civilian infrastructure,’ how many objects, and which ones specifically. That’s why I believe our technical team will be ready with a list of sites and directions where we would see this applied," the president added.
At the same time, he noted that he could not predict the outcome of the meeting in Saudi Arabia.
"I think it would be good if the meeting resulted in some progress that brings us closer to a full ceasefire. And the outcome will depend on whether the parties genuinely want this or are just pretending to. We want this. We are ready to act quickly and substantively. And I believe the issue is not with the Ukrainian team," Zelenskyy emphasized.
Talks in Saudi Arabia
On Monday, March 24, another round of negotiations on the war in Ukraine is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia. Delegations from the US, Russia, and Ukraine will discuss the issue of a partial ceasefire, but in separate bilateral meetings.
