Ukraine has opted out of the US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing its exclusion. Concurrently, Russian drone strikes in Dolynska resulted in civilian casualties and evacuations. China and European leaders argue for inclusive negotiations, while the Kremlin maintains its partnerships amid shifting US policies under President Trump.
Ukraine has declared its absence from the ongoing US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stating that the Ukrainian representatives were not invited. Meanwhile, drone strikes by Russia on the city of Dolynska resulted in injuries to a woman and her children, necessitating evacuations from damaged residential buildings. Andriy Raikovych, the Kirovohrad region’s governor, described the situation as a “difficult night” due to the attacks on local infrastructure.
China has expressed support for the US-Russia dialogues, yet underlined that it is essential to include all stakeholders in discussions regarding peace and security. European leaders, adopting a similar stance, have indicated their readiness to offer security guarantees to Ukraine, stressing that a ceasefire should not be pursued without a concrete peace agreement with Russia. This sentiment reinforces the importance of Ukraine’s involvement in the negotiation processes.
Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, emphasized the significance of the upcoming meetings, asserting that American businesses might eventually return to Russia despite their current withdrawal. Dmitriev noted the economic impact of these departures, highlighting a loss of approximately $300 billion. Meanwhile, the Kremlin assured that the commencement of US-Russia discussions would not alter Moscow’s collaboration with Tehran, particularly concerning Iran’s nuclear matters.
President Donald Trump has reignited discussions between the US and Russia by dispatching his top diplomat, Marco Rubio, to engage in dialogues with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. This move has been criticized for excluding Ukraine and European nations from the conference, prompting Zelenskyy to reaffirm that any agreements must involve Ukraine. In response to the situation, European leaders convened in Paris to propose security commitments to Ukraine, as concerns regarding unilateral US negotiations have proliferated.
In summary, Ukraine remains sidelined from critical discussions between the United States and Russia regarding the ongoing conflict. While China and European leaders advocate for inclusive negotiations, the focus on US-Russia dialogues raises concerns about Ukraine’s security and sovereignty. The geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, with significant implications for regional stability as pressures mount for a resolution to the conflict.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
