Zelensky Criticizes Russia’s Demands Ahead of U.S.-Ukraine Talks

Ukrainian President Zelensky announced talks with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia aimed at negotiating an end to the conflict with Russia, focusing on cease-fire terms. He criticized Russian demands regarding U.S. assistance and NATO membership exclusions. Russia confirmed its attendance with a negotiating team, aiming to discuss the resumption of the Black Sea initiative. Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s ownership of its power infrastructure and is open to U.S. investments in modernization.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian and U.S. officials will convene in Saudi Arabia to negotiate an end to the war with Russia. These discussions will initially focus on the terms of a cease-fire concerning energy and infrastructure. Zelensky expressed hope for a productive meeting, emphasizing Ukraine’s stance on maintaining civilian infrastructure safety to align with what he anticipates will be agreed upon by the involved parties.

Zelensky criticized Russian pre-conditions, calling for the cessation of U.S. military assistance and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, as well as prohibiting Ukraine from mobilizing its defenses within its own territory. He argued that such demands only serve to prolong the conflict and that the invitation for NATO membership should not be dismissed by the Russians, highlighting the importance of this issue in negotiations.

In conjunction with the talks, Russia will dispatch a negotiating team, led by Senator Grigory Karasin and Sergey Beseda from the FSB. Their agenda reportedly includes discussions about resuming the Black Sea initiative, which previously allowed for the unimpeded export of Ukrainian grain and Russian fertilizers, but was halted in July 2023 amid sanctions disputes.

Sergei Kislyak, a Russian lawmaker, indicated that Moscow would remain firm on its demand for the U.S. to cease military support for Ukraine. President Zelensky has reiterated Ukraine’s ownership of its power plants, explicitly rejecting the idea of U.S. ownership of facilities like the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station, which he argues should remain under Ukrainian jurisdiction due to illegal seizures by Russia.

Zelensky also mentioned his willingness to discuss U.S. investments aimed at modernizing Ukrainian power infrastructure. However, he clarified that discussions around property ownership were not included. He refuted claims that an extensive U.S. takeover of Ukraine’s entire energy sector was necessary for infrastructure protection, reiterating the benefits of integrating with Europe’s energy grid for security.

The forthcoming meetings between Ukrainian and U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia mark a crucial step in attempts to negotiate an end to the ongoing conflict with Russia. President Zelensky’s firm stance against Russian demands and issues of NATO membership underscore the complexities of the negotiations. Additionally, discussions surrounding energy infrastructure remain critical, highlighting Ukraine’s commitment to sovereignty over its assets while exploring options for modernization and support. The outcomes of these talks could significantly influence the trajectory of both the war and Ukraine’s international relations.

Original Source: www.upi.com