MEZIESBLOG

An aide close to Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine has still not be invited to the peace talks between the US and Russia in Saudi Arabia.

The aide told our US partner network NBC News “it is dangerous to speak with enemies before you speak with allies”.

“Ukraine’s position remains unchanged, we need to have a joint position of Ukraine, the US and Europe before any negotiations with Putin,” the aide said.

Two US officials have also confirmed Ukraine was not invited to the talks, but say the intention is for the US to host a bilateral meeting with Russia, then with Ukraine, and then talks together.

“We are working with both [Russia and Ukraine] with the same weight, we want to end the killing and get headed to lasting peace,” one of the US officials said.

Zelenskyy: I will never accept decisions between US and Russia about Ukraine

More from Volodymyr Zelenskyy now, who has said he will “never accept any decisions between the US and Russia about Ukraine”.

Speaking to NBC News, Ukraine’s president thanked Donald Trump for his support, but added there is not “any leader in the world who can really make a deal with Vladimir Putin without us”.

“I think he’s [Putin] really a little bit scared about Trump, and I think Trump has this chance and he’s strong, and he can push Putin to peace negotiations,” he said.

But Zelenskyy called on Trump to approach his conversations with Putin and other Russian leaders while maintaining loyalty to Ukraine.

“I wanted very much that Ukraine is in priority for Trump, not Russia. I hope that we are more important,” he added.

“We are not as big as Russia, but I think strategically, Ukraine is more important for the US, because we are really partners, allies, and we share common values.”

Asked whether he believed Trump was negotiating in good faith, Zelenskyy said: “I hope so. I hope so. Yes, I count on it.

“I trust Trump because he’s the president of the US, because your people voted for him and I respect their choice.”