Negotiations on Ending Russia’s War Against Ukraine Must Not Take Place Behind Key Stakeholders' Backs

Negotiations on ending Russia's war against Ukraine should not take place behind the backs of key actors. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this in Ankara during a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Ukrinform reports.

‘I am convinced that it is fundamental for Ukraine, for our region, for Europe that any negotiations to end the war should not take place behind the backs of key actors affected by the consequences of Russian aggression. Ukraine, Europe in a broad sense - and this includes the European Union, Turkey, and the UK - should be involved in conversations and the development of the necessary security guarantees together with America regarding the fate of our part of the world,’ Zelenskyy said.

He also stressed that the Russian war is going on right next door, and that no mistakes should be made to ensure that it ends in a lasting and reliable peace.

‘This is possible only when the negotiations are fair, and Ukraine, America, and the whole of Europe are represented at the negotiating table. And the guarantees are developed with the participation of all those who are actually able to give them. And it is fair that Turkey is such an entity. It is part of Europe. I am grateful to President Erdogan for his understanding,’ the President of Ukraine said.

As a reminder, the day before, on Tuesday, 18 February, negotiations between the US delegation and representatives of the Russian aggressor country started in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met before the talks on ending the war in Ukraine.