Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia with U.S. officials to discuss ending the war with Russia, criticizing Russian demands and emphasizing Ukraine’s desire for NATO membership. He maintained that critical energy infrastructure should remain Ukrainian-owned, dismissing reports of U.S. control over power plants, while expressing openness to investment discussions. Zelensky highlighted the need for a united effort against Russian aggression.

On March 21, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a forthcoming meeting between Ukrainian and U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia aimed at negotiating an end to the ongoing conflict with Russia. The discussions, structured to include technical teams from both sides, will focus on establishing terms for a cease-fire concerning energy and infrastructure, according to Zelensky’s comments in Oslo alongside Prime Minister Jonas Store of Norway.

Zelensky emphasized the importance of delineating civilian infrastructure that should remain untouched and expressed concern over Russian demands that the United States discontinue military assistance to Ukraine, which includes crucial intelligence support. He criticized these demands, asserting that Moscow’s position only serves to prolong the war, stating, “Moscow must stop making unnecessary demands that only prolong the war.”

The Ukrainian leader further lamented the exclusion of Ukraine’s NATO membership from discussions, reiterating Ukraine’s desire for NATO alignment as a potential solution to their struggles. “Unfortunately, we are not being taken into NATO. We really want to join. We believe that this would solve many problems,” he stated, highlighting a sense of urgency in the need for support from NATO allies, particularly the U.S.

In a parallel development, Russia confirmed its participation in separate negotiations with the U.S. in Riyadh, led by Senator Grigory Karasin and intelligence adviser Sergey Beseda. Russian officials indicated that the talks would revisit the 2022 Black Sea initiative concerning trade, which had ended in July due to sanctions imposed by the West, labeling the EU’s rhetoric as a disqualifier for involvement in the discussions.

Zelensky firmly rejected the idea of U.S. ownership of Ukraine’s critical power plants, specifically the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station, maintaining that such assets belong solely to the Ukrainian state. He asserted, “If it does not belong to Ukraine, it won’t work for anyone. It would be illegal,” while also indicating a willingness to discuss investment and modernization if U.S. interests aligned with protecting the infrastructure.

In conclusion, Zelensky dismissed reports suggesting that the United States was considering taking control of Ukraine’s entire energy sector, reinforcing that most infrastructure is state-owned and the integration of Ukraine’s power generation with Europe ensures critical energy security. This clarifies Ukraine’s stance on maintaining its sovereignty while seeking assistance in safeguarding its energy assets against Russian aggression.

In summary, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has articulated Ukraine’s position as it prepares for diplomatic talks with the U.S. aimed at resolving the conflict with Russia. He has criticized Russian preconditions and the absence of NATO membership discussions, while firmly defending Ukraine’s sovereignty over its energy resources. Despite these challenges, Zelensky expresses openness to U.S. involvement that aligns with Ukraine’s interests, aiming for a collaborative path forward amidst pressing security concerns.

Original Source: www.upi.com

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