In a recent development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that his team will engage in peace talks with American representatives in Saudi Arabia.
This revelation comes on the heels of a tense encounter between Zelenskyy, President Donald Trump, and Vice President JD Vance at the Oval Office, which culminated in Zelenskyy's premature departure from the White House.
According to Fox News, Zelenskyy stated, "Next Monday, I have a visit planned to Saudi Arabia for a meeting with the Crown Prince. After that, my team will stay in Saudi Arabia to work with our American partners." He further emphasized Ukraine's vested interest in peace, asserting, "Ukraine is most interested in peace."
In a direct address to President Trump, Zelenskyy pledged his country's commitment to the peace process, stating, "Ukraine is working and will continue to work constructively for a swift and reliable peace."
In a parallel development, Ukrainian opposition leaders, former President Petro Poroshenko and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, confirmed their separate discussions with the U.S., as reported by the Guardian. However, they categorically denied any involvement in an alleged plot to oust Zelenskyy from power.
Prior to the Oval Office incident, President Trump criticized Zelenskyy for his failure to conduct elections. Poroshenko, who was defeated by Zelenskyy in the 2019 elections, countered this criticism by expressing his opposition to wartime elections, advocating for them to be held post-martial law, as per the Guardian.
In what seems to be a response to Zelenskyy's agreement to participate in the peace talks, Russia launched an attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko confirmed the "massive missile and drone" attack on his Facebook page, as reported by the Associated Press. The attack reportedly resulted in injuries to at least 10 individuals, including a child.
In response to the attack, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine's commitment to peace, stating, "Ukraine is ready to pursue the path to peace, and it is Ukraine that strives for peace from the very first second of this war. The task is to force Russia to stop the war."
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov justified the attack on Ukraine's energy supply, claiming it was "linked with Ukraines military industrial complex and weapons production," according to the Associated Press. This attack is not an isolated incident, as Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure during the ongoing three-year war.
In a recent address to a joint session of Congress, President Trump expressed his desire to end the war and revealed that he had received a letter from Zelenskyy. Reading the letter aloud, Trump quoted, "Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians, he said. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump's strong leadership to get a peace that lasts."
Zelenskyy's emphasis on peace appears to be a response to Trump's accusation that the Ukrainian leader was not interested in peace, following their Oval Office confrontation. Trump had stated, "I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I dont want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace."
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