Zelensky Rejects Russian Preconditions Ahead of Saudi Arabia Peace Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Russia to abandon what he described as “unrealistic and unnecessary” demands before negotiations can progress toward peace. His remarks come ahead of a planned meeting between Ukrainian and US officials in Saudi Arabia next Monday, which will take place alongside separate discussions between American and Russian representatives.

Zelensky sharply criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s conditions for ending the war, particularly Moscow’s insistence that Western nations halt military support for Ukraine — a demand Kyiv has categorically rejected.

He further cautioned that excluding Ukraine’s bid for NATO membership from the talks, as proposed by Putin, would represent a serious concession to Moscow and undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Addressing recent speculation, Zelensky also denied reports from the White House suggesting he had discussed transferring control of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants to the United States during a recent phone call with former US President Donald Trump, calling the claim entirely unfounded.

US Presses for Ceasefire as Zelensky and Putin Outline Rival Conditions Before Peace Talks

As Washington intensifies its diplomatic push to end the war, both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin have signaled a conditional willingness to accept a ceasefire. However, differing demands from both sides continue to obstruct any tangible progress.

During recent discussions, Putin reportedly agreed to suspend airstrikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, yet cross-border attacks have continued. In response, Zelensky announced that Ukraine’s delegation will present U.S. officials with a list of critical energy and infrastructure sites requiring protection from future Russian strikes at the upcoming peace talks in Saudi Arabia.

Zelensky also dismissed recent U.S. claims suggesting that Washington could assume ownership of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants. Speaking in Oslo alongside Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, he clarified that while he had spoken with former U.S. President Donald Trump about the Russian-occupied Zaporizhia nuclear plant, Ukraine’s nuclear facilities “belong solely to the Ukrainian people.” However, he expressed openness to American investment in upgrading the facilities should they be restored to Ukrainian control.

Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that partial American control could provide “the strongest safeguard” for Ukraine’s nuclear infrastructure — a proposal Zelensky firmly rejected.

On the issue of territorial integrity, Zelensky reiterated that Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, remains “an inseparable part of Ukraine,” ruling out any form of compromise. Despite Russia’s continued occupation, the international community still recognizes the peninsula as Ukrainian territory.

Outlining a potential framework for peace, Zelensky said that an immediate ceasefire — halting all hostilities on land and sea — must serve as the foundation for broader negotiations. Meanwhile, Trump claimed to have secured a verbal pledge from Putin to stop targeting Ukraine’s energy grid, though a comprehensive agreement to end the conflict remains out of reach.

NATO Membership Debate Intensifies as Ukraine Seeks Military Aid Amid Ongoing Ceasefire Talks

As peace discussions draw near, Russia has renewed its demand that Ukraine be permanently barred from joining NATO, insisting on the country’s neutrality as a central condition for any agreement. Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko reaffirmed that Moscow considers this non-negotiable.

Across the table, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described Ukraine’s potential accession to NATO as an “unlikely outcome” of the current negotiations, suggesting that such expectations were “not grounded in present realities.”

Despite diplomatic efforts, fighting continues on both sides. Overnight missile strikes in Ukraine claimed two lives, while Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory injured ten people and triggered a fire at a military airfield.

Addressing EU leaders via video conference, President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Europe to maintain pressure on Moscow and accelerate military assistance. He appealed for at least €5 billion (£4.18 billion) in artillery shells, stressing that consistent European support is “vital for Ukraine’s survival.” Zelensky also encouraged the EU to take a more direct role in the upcoming peace negotiations.

Relations between Zelensky and former U.S. President Donald Trump grew tense following a heated exchange in the Oval Office, which led to a brief suspension of American military aid. However, after renewed talks—including a proposed 30-day ceasefire—the White House lifted the suspension just days later.

UK Calls for ‘Coalition of the Willing’ to Enforce Future Ukraine Peace Agreement

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has stressed that any future peace deal in Ukraine must be backed by robust enforcement measures to ensure its longevity. Speaking at a military installation in London, Starmer proposed forming a “coalition of the willing” to uphold the terms of any eventual settlement.

His remarks came after a closed-door meeting with senior defense officials from over 20 nations coordinating plans for such a coalition. Starmer said the focus was shifting from “political negotiation” to “military preparedness,” emphasizing that contingency planning must begin before a peace agreement is finalized.

“It’s critical we put these mechanisms in place now,” he said. “We’ve seen what happens when Russia’s promises go unenforced. We cannot let history repeat itself.”

Starmer’s warning underscores growing concern among Western allies about Moscow’s reliability in honoring peace commitments and highlights the push for a collective international framework to guarantee a lasting and verifiable end to the conflict.

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