Ukraine-US meeting in Saudi Arabia: No talks planned with Russia
Photo: Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Heorhii Tykhyi (Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine considers the upcoming meeting in Saudi Arabia bilateral with US representatives, with no planned contact between the Ukrainian delegation and the Russians, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heorhii Tykhyi stated.
"We view this meeting as a technical and bilateral US-Ukrainian one. I am not aware of any running around between rooms. The Ukrainian team has no planned contact with the Russians," said the spokesperson.
According to him, as of today, the Ukrainian team is communicating with the American side, while the US is engaging with Russia. Tykhyi noted that this model has proven effective in the past. In 2022, Ukraine concluded the Black Sea Grain Initiative, where the UN and Turkey played a similar intermediary role.
"This format of diplomacy, where one side acts as a mediator, is possible, and we are considering it in this way now. The hotel there (referring to the previous meeting in Jeddah - ed.) is large — I was there during the last political negotiations — and I am convinced that there is plenty of space.
We do not know whether a separate U.S.-Russia meeting is being prepared there — that is their business. Our delegation is going to meet with the Americans," he explained.
Kellogg's statement on indirect talks
Earlier, Keith Kellogg, the US presidential envoy to Ukraine, stated that the US would send teams to Saudi Arabia for indirect negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
According to him, these talks would take place with both parties in separate rooms, while mediators facilitate the discussions.
In just one day, the American team aims to gather the conditions and positions of both Russia and Ukraine regarding a ceasefire.
Kellogg added that this format is "essentially shuttle diplomacy."
Ukraine-US Talks in Saudi Arabia
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier announced a new meeting between the Ukrainian and American delegations in Saudi Arabia on Monday, March 24.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this meeting will be technical, focusing on discussing the parameters of various ceasefire proposals.
It is still unknown who will represent Ukraine at the meeting. However, according to Zelenskyy, the delegation will include military officials, energy sector representatives, and specialists in port and other civilian infrastructure.
