Zelenskyy Confirms Attendance at U.S. Peace Talks in Saudi Arabia

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has confirmed participation in U.S. peace talks in Saudi Arabia after a recent Oval Office confrontation with President Trump. He emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to peace, despite rising Russian military actions targeting energy infrastructure. Opposition leaders in Ukraine expressed their own U.S. discussions but denied involvement in any efforts against Zelenskyy. The situation underscores the complexity and urgency of seeking a resolution to the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that he and his team will engage in peace talks with American counterparts in Saudi Arabia. This announcement comes after a recent tense interaction with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance at the White House. In a message on X, President Zelenskyy stated, “Next Monday, I have a visit planned to Saudi Arabia for a meeting with the Crown Prince. After that, my team will stay in Saudi Arabia to work with our American partners. Ukraine is most interested in peace.”

Zelenskyy also addressed President Trump directly in his post, reaffirming Ukraine’s ongoing commitment to constructively seek a swift and reliable peace. Meanwhile, notable opposition leaders in Ukraine, including former President Petro Poroshenko and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, confirmed they had discussions with the U.S., but denied involvement in a supposed effort to undermine Zelenskyy’s presidency. Poroshenko, who previously lost to Zelenskyy, voiced opposition to holding elections during wartime and emphasized the need to wait until martial law concludes.

In a concerning development, Russia has reportedly intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, likely in response to Zelenskyy’s participation in the upcoming talks. Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko reported a “massive missile and drone” assault, which resulted in injuries to at least ten individuals, including a child. President Zelenskyy expressed the urgency of peace in light of these attacks, stating that “Ukraine is ready to pursue the path to peace, and it is Ukraine that strives for peace from the very first second of this war.”

Russia’s Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov justified the strikes on Ukraine’s energy facilities by linking them to Ukraine’s military manufacturing, indicating a continued strategy of targeting energy resources amidst the ongoing conflict. Over the past three years, Russia has repeatedly attacked Ukraine’s energy framework, with significant assaults noted in April and December of the previous year.

During a recent Congressional address, President Trump remarked on his commitment to ending the war and shared a letter from Zelenskyy, which he characterized as significant support for negotiations. Trump read from the letter, emphasizing Ukraine’s readiness for peace: “Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians.” This statement aims to counter Trump’s previous accusations that Zelenskyy was unwilling to pursue peace.

Following their contentious meeting, Trump criticized Zelenskyy on social media, expressing doubt about his readiness for peace, attributing this to the perception that American involvement could offer Ukraine a negotiation advantage. Trump stated, “He can come back when he is ready for peace,” reinforcing his stance on a more favorable negotiation without perceived U.S. leverage.

In summary, President Zelenskyy has confirmed his participation in peace talks in Saudi Arabia following a tense encounter with U.S. leaders. He explicitly reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to finding peace amid external military aggressions. Despite opposition leaders’ affirmations of their separate discussions with U.S. officials, they rejected claims of undermining Zelenskyy. The dialogue surrounding peace continues amid ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, accentuating the urgency for diplomacy in resolving the ongoing conflict.

Original Source: www.foxnews.com