17.02.2025 10:42
U.S. officials are preparing for talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at finding a solution to the Russia-Ukraine war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine should play a decisive role in the negotiations. However, reports in the U.S. media indicate that Ukraine was neither invited to the peace talks nor informed about them.
It was claimed that senior officials from the US and Russia will meet tomorrow in Saudi Arabia regarding the Russia-Ukraine War.
The report by Axios included claims from officials who wished to remain anonymous about discussions related to the Russia-Ukraine War.
According to these claims, senior American and Russian officials will hold talks in Saudi Arabia tomorrow regarding the cessation of the war.
Furthermore, the report also mentioned the claim that the Ukrainian government was not invited to the meeting.
ACCORDING TO TRUMP, THE MEETING IS VERY SOON
US President Donald Trump stated that his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin could be "very soon," indicating that they want to stop the Russia-Ukraine War.
President Trump had separate phone calls with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 12, stating that American and Russian delegations would meet in Saudi Arabia.
Two unnamed American officials, speaking to CNN, indicated that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Witkoff were preparing to meet with Russian officials.
ZELENSKY WENT TO THE UAE
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he went to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for official contacts.
Zelensky stated in a video message shared on his social media account that he arrived in the UAE with his wife, Olena Zelenska.
Indicating that he would have official contacts in the UAE, Zelensky noted that they would discuss the issue of prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine.
Zelensky said, "Our priority is to ensure that more of our people return home from captivity." He also mentioned that during his contacts in the UAE, they would address issues of investment and economic cooperation, as well as humanitarian aid.
Participating in the 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC 2025) held in Munich, Germany, Zelensky stated on February 14 that he would have contacts first in the UAE and then in Saudi Arabia, and he expressed that he would then come to Turkey.
UKRAINE REJECTED TO GIVE ITS MINERALS TO THE US
Ukrainian leader Zelensky emphasized in his statement at the Munich Security Conference that his country should play a decisive role in negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Zelensky stated that foreign troops should be deployed in Ukraine for the security of his country and called on the US to be involved in this process. Reminding that the US Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, would visit Ukraine next week, Zelensky invited Kellogg to conduct inspections at the front.
Zelensky said, "The war continues in Ukraine. Therefore, Ukraine should decide who sits at the negotiation table."
Responding to claims in the media, Zelensky announced that despite US insistence, he refused to sign an agreement that foresaw transferring half of the rare earth elements to American companies. The Ukrainian leader stated that the agreement was not yet ready in line with his country's interests and that it should include security guarantees.
Zelensky, in a video message evaluating his contacts in Germany, said that they had started working with Trump's team and believed they would succeed. He expressed that real peace is possible with the contributions of the US and Europe, using the phrase "Real peace is possible."
FRANCE WILL ORGANIZE A SUMMIT ON 'TRUMP' AND 'RUSSIA'
French President Emmanuel Macron is reported to hold an emergency summit in Paris on February 17 to address 'Trump' and the Ukraine-Russia War. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski announced that they would participate in the summit, emphasizing that European leaders should take the issues raised by Trump seriously.
On the other hand, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated in his speech at the 61st Munich Security Conference that the EU would retaliate in the event of a trade war. Barrot noted that Europe is the region that has fought the COVID-19 pandemic most effectively, expressing his belief that the EU is a superpower.
Barrot used the following statements in his speech:
"The EU will retaliate if it is subjected to a trade war, regardless of the source. We have done this in the past. We will do it again. We will defend our interests. It was the continent that repelled the large-scale invasion of Russia, which is thought to be the world's largest military power. Russia has failed to achieve its goals."
Barrot announced that the EU is in the process of increasing its defense spending, stating that citizens would accept that an additional portion of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) be allocated to defense. Barrot said, "We are slowly preparing for this."
Emphasizing the importance of defense investments for Europe's independence, Barrot said:
"We will need to ensure that our citizens, who experience the benefits of peace in this century without security concerns, reconsider their perspectives on how we will form our national budget and agree to the sacrifices and efforts required to build our independence in the field of security."