Zelensky advisor denies Ukraine would participate in Russia-US talks
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Podolyak claims Russia aims to use its presence at the negotiating table to secure an "operational pause to reconfigure its army."
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Ukrainian Presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 (AP)
Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky, dismissed Saturday claims that Ukraine would take part in an upcoming meeting between Russia and the United States in Saudi Arabia.
"There is nothing on the negotiating table that would be worth discussing," Podolyak said on Ukrainian television, emphasizing that "Russia is not ready for negotiations."
On the same day, Politico reported, citing a Republican lawmaker and two US officials familiar with the matter, that representatives from all three countries were set to meet in the coming days.
However, the news website later updated its report, noting that a Ukrainian official had confirmed the announcement came as a surprise to Kiev and that there were no plans to send a Ukrainian delegation.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that the talks in Saudi Arabia would involve only US and Russian officials, potentially laying the groundwork for a summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin later this month.
Trump had previously stated, following a phone call with Putin, that he was prepared to meet with the Russian leader in Saudi Arabia for peace talks.
Podolyak's remarks appeared to align with statements made earlier in the day by Zelensky at the Munich Security Conference.
"We didn't talk about it. The media printed something. I saw that someone said that there would be a meeting in Saudi Arabia. I do not know what it is," Zelensky said.
During his television appearance, Podolyak further claimed that Russia aims to use its presence at the negotiating table to secure an "operational pause to reconfigure its army" while also seeking to gain leverage and ease sanctions.
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