Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that his team will engage in peace talks with their American counterparts in Saudi Arabia. This confirmation follows a recent confrontation with Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office, which ended with Zelenskyy departing earlier than planned.
“Next Monday, I will visit Saudi Arabia to meet with the Crown Prince. My team will remain in Saudi Arabia to collaborate with our American partners,” Zelenskyy shared in a post on X. “Ukraine is primarily focused on achieving peace.”
TRUMP READING ZELENSKYY LETTER MET WITH SUPPORT FROM GOP, INDEPENDENT VOTERS
In his message to Trump, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is “working and will continue to work constructively for a swift and reliable peace.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian opposition leaders, including former President Petro Poroshenko and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, confirmed their own discussions with U.S. officials, as reported by the Guardian. They denied involvement in any alleged White House strategy to oust Zelenskyy.
Before the Oval Office incident, Trump criticized Zelenskyy for not conducting elections, but Poroshenko, who was defeated by Zelenskyy in 2019, opposed holding elections during wartime, advocating for them to take place after martial law is lifted, per the Guardian.
Russia has reportedly responded to Zelenskyy’s agreement to participate in the talks by launching an attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Zelenskyy’s Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, who is set to attend the peace talks in Saudi Arabia, later called for “tougher sanctions” against Russia if the attacks on Ukraine do not cease. With Trump’s consideration of sanctions on Moscow, this could soon be a reality.
Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko confirmed a “massive missile and drone” attack on his Facebook page, according to the Associated Press. Reports indicate that at least 10 people, including a child, were injured.
“Ukraine is committed to pursuing a path to peace, striving for it since the war began. The goal is to compel Russia to cease hostilities,” Zelenskyy remarked in a post on X regarding the attack.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed that the attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure was justified, as it is “linked with Ukraine’s military industrial complex and weapons production,” according to the Associated Press.
Throughout the ongoing three-year conflict, Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. In April 2024, a significant power plant was destroyed, and in December 2024, Russia assaulted Ukraine’s power grid.
“It is essential that everyone ensures Russia, the sole instigator of this war, acknowledges the necessity to end it. This can be demonstrated through two forms of silence: no attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure – a truce for missiles, bombs, and long-range drones; no military operations in the Black Sea,” Zelenskyy stated in another post on X.
On Tuesday, during a joint session of Congress, Trump expressed his desire to end the war and mentioned receiving a letter from Zelenskyy. He read the letter aloud, expressing his appreciation for it.
“Earlier today, I received an important letter from President Zelenskyy of Ukraine,” Trump stated. “The letter conveyed, ‘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.’ He added, ‘My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to achieve lasting peace.’”
Zelenskyy’s strong emphasis on peace appears to be a counter to Trump’s assertion that the Ukrainian leader lacks interest in it following their recent Oval Office encounter.
“I have concluded that President Zelenskyy is not prepared for peace with America’s involvement, as he believes our participation affords him an advantage in negotiations. I am not seeking an advantage; I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States in the revered Oval Office. He can return when he is ready for peace,” Trump remarked on Truth Social shortly after their heated meeting.
