Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday (February 17) dismissed planned talks between the U.S. and Russia on ending the war in Ukraine, reiterating that Kyiv should be involved in any discussions about its own future.
His comments came as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the high-stakes talks between U.S. and Russian officials, which have spurred Ukraine's concerns that it could be left out of a peace process.
Speaking via video link while on a state visit to the UAE, Zelenskiy told reporters in Kyiv that Ukraine would not take part in the negotiations and "did not know anything about them".
The Kremlin said on Monday it was sending President Vladimir Putin's top diplomat and his chief foreign policy advisor to Riyadh for the talks, which would aim to pave the way for a meeting between U.S. and Russian leaders.
Zelenskiy said he would be visiting Saudi Arabia on Wednesday (February 19) but that his state visit had been planned in advance and had nothing to do with the U.S.-Russian talks.
The Ukrainian leader also called for stronger American security guarantees as part of a critical minerals deal opening up Ukraine's vast natural wealth in exchange for U.S. support.
Zelenskiy said he would invite Trump's Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg to the frontline to meet with troops during a trip slated for February 20.