Kyiv (TDI): The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, met with the United States Special Presidential Envoy for Russia and Ukraine, General Keith Kellogg, on Thursday. During the meeting, they discussed formulating security guarantees for Ukraine and freeing the prisoners of war held in Russia.
This development came after President Vladimir Putin said that he is open to talks with Ukraine and European countries on issues of common interest.
During the meeting, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appreciated the United States’ efforts for its bipartisan support for Ukraine and its people.
He said, “We had a detailed conversation about the battlefield situation, how to return our prisoners of war, and effective security guarantees.”
I had a productive meeting with @SPE_Kellogg—a good discussion, many important details. I am grateful to the United States for all the assistance and bipartisan support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.
It’s important for us—and for the entire free world—that American… pic.twitter.com/LH2vNGVGFQ
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 20, 2025
He further stated that Ukraine has always sought peace and is ready for a strong investment and security agreement with the United States of America.
The United States Special Presidential Envoy for Russia and Ukraine arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday, where he had initially met with Andriy Yermak, the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
The two officials discussed the security situations and peace settlements.
Good to be back in Ukraine. We have a lot of work to do to bring an end to this brutal war, but the United State is committed to doing the difficult work to help forge a sustainable peace. Useful conversations today with officials like @AndriyYermak — with more to come tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/V4mgsJvnmd
— Gen. Keith Kellogg (@SPE_Kellogg) February 20, 2025
He arrived in Kyiv a day after the United States-Russian meeting in Riyadh to “listen” to Ukraine. It is important to note that Ukraine did not participate in the US-Russian talks on peace negotiations in Riyadh.
Yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia has never turned its back on negotiations with Ukraine and European countries.
The agitation of the European countries over the meeting between the US and Russian officials is baseless.
President Putin emphasized restoring bilateral ties between the United States and Russia.
Read More: US, Russia Discuss Ties, Ukraine, Security
He further said, “The crux of resolving all highly acute issues, including the Ukrainian settlement, lies in the fact that without enhancing the level of trust between Russia and the United States, it is impossible to resolve many problems, including the Ukrainian crisis.”
Moreover, dismissing the concerns of the European leaders, President Putin said,
“The purpose and subject of our negotiations was the restoration of Russian-American relations. Does someone wish to act as a mediator between Russia and the United States? These are likely excessive demands.”
While denouncing the European countries for ending all diplomatic ties with Russia, he said, “The Europeans terminated contacts with Russia, and the Ukrainian side has self-imposed a ban on negotiations, withdrawing from the Istanbul process and publicly announcing that.”
Read More: Putin Welcomes US Talks, Ready to Discuss Ukraine War
According to the US Department of State, the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, met with the Russian delegation in Riyadh, conveying President Donald Trump’s desire to end the Ukraine war and bring countries together peacefully.
Took an important step forward today to establish enduring peace between Russia and Ukraine.
We are using our global strength to unite countries. The United States wants peace. We want the killing to stop.
Thanks to Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for hosting. pic.twitter.com/LdP4WzQjiI
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 18, 2025
Both Russia and the US had agreed to develop a mechanism to address the irritants to their bilateral relations, appoint high-level teams to help end the war in Ukraine sustainably and initiate cooperation on matters of geopolitical and economic interests.
Previously, Ukraine had raised concerns over its exclusion from the peace talks in Riyadh.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the United Arab Emirates, where he met with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The two countries signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), to begin a new era of economic collaboration and trade.
President Zelenskyy had also announced a visit to Saudi Arabia, which was later postponed.
Read More: How European leaders are taking interest in solving Ukraine issue?
The European leaders also rejected the US-Russia talks, saying there would be “no discussions about Ukraine, without Ukraine.”
Kaja Kallas, the Vice President of the European Commission, stated that Europe must have a central role in any negotiation.
Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity are unconditional.
Our priority must now be strengthening Ukraine and providing robust security guarantees.
In any negotiation, Europe must have a central role.
Our Weimar+ statement ↓ pic.twitter.com/PfdvQ4UND1
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) February 12, 2025
In this sense, stressing Europe’s approach of ‘bringing peace in Ukraine through strength,’ the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, said that it is “vital that any deal reached brings an enduring peace” and that Russia will never try to take one more square kilometre of Ukrainian land again.
Moreover, the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, expressed his willingness to increase military support to Ukraine. While talking about military aid to Ukraine, he said that the UK has already committed £3 billion a year until at least 2030.
This means the UK is ready and willing to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine by putting our troops on the ground if necessary.
On the issue of ending the war in Ukraine, the approach of European leaders, including the United Kingdom, appears to be in stark contrast with the approach of the United States.
