Ukraine Excluded from US-Russia Peace Negotiations: A Bitter Blow to Kyiv

Amidst a backdrop of shifting diplomatic efforts, Ukrainian President Zelensky firmly maintains that his country will not accept any peace agreement that does not involve Kyiv, as the US prepares for negotiations with Russia in Saudi Arabia without Ukraine's presence.

Kyiv has been taken aback to discover that it has not received an invitation to the significant peace talks between the US and Russia regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, as per a senior Ukrainian government source reported by the BBC. Despite earlier statements from US special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, suggesting Ukrainian involvement this week in Saudi Arabia, confirmation from the source clarified that no Ukrainian delegation would participate.

In a twist of events, European leaders, whose participation is deemed vital, have also been excluded from the talks. Instead, they plan to convene in Paris for an urgently arranged summit headed by French President Emmanuel Macron, amidst rising concerns that Europe is becoming sidelined in these critical discussions. This separation marks a significant departure from previous diplomatic norms, underscoring the complex landscape following recent American policy adjustments regarding Ukraine.

US envoy Steve Witkoff has confirmed his travel to Saudi Arabia for what is expected to be a groundbreaking direct discussion with Russian counterparts, aiming to alleviate the ongoing conflict. Notably, US President Donald Trump commented on Witkoff’s lengthy meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, indicating a potential thaw in US-Russia relations, which have been strained in recent years.

Despite hopes for an inclusive process, Ukraine's Zelensky remains adamant on rejecting any negotiation outcomes made without its involvement. He emphasized in a recent NBC interview that Ukraine will never accept agreements settled between the US and Russia in its absence.

While Witkoff has mentioned ongoing communications with Ukrainian officials, it remains unclear whether Kyiv will have an official role in the discussions occurring in Saudi Arabia. However, President Trump expressed optimism about Zelensky being included in some capacity, albeit without specifics.

Leading up to these pivotal talks, Rubio, the US Secretary of State, downplayed expectations of a resolution emerging solely from these initial discussions, warning that a much more structured format would be required to mediate effectively between Ukraine, Russia, and other involved parties.

Concurrently, European leaders, including UK’s Keir Starmer and Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, are set to engage in discussions on European security and Ukraine, reinforcing the continent's commitment to supporting Ukraine amidst these troubling developments. Starmer has indicated that the UK stands ready to contribute forces if necessary.

As peace talks loom, Keller and other US officials argue that Europe’s exclusion may work to streamline discussions after past negotiations suffered setbacks from involving too many stakeholders. Observers are now looking closely to see whether this strategy will indeed result in meaningful progress toward ending the war.

Back in Ukraine, the situation remains dire as Zelensky reported that a recent Russian attack has left 100,000 residents in Mykolaiv without power amid ongoing military operations escalating since Russia commenced its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. The Ukrainian president stressed that any resolution to the conflict must restore dignity and sovereignty, which he believes can only be achieved through Ukraine’s active involvement.