Ukraine says it will not participate in Saudi hosted talks between Russia and the United States, a stance voiced by Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to President Zelensky, in an interview with the Guardian. Podolyak stressed that Kyiv should not be sidelined in the diplomacy surrounding the conflict and that any negotiations involving its partners must reflect Ukraine’s interests and security concerns. The comment signals Kyiv’s insistence that any settlement framework must include Ukrainian input and oversight. The interview framed Kyiv’s position as a clear line in the sand: Ukraine will not join a process that excludes Kyiv or seeks to broker a settlement without Ukrainian consent. The remarks arrive as world powers explore potential ceasefire concepts and the broader architecture of a political settlement, while Kyiv weighs how outside talks might affect on the ground conditions and civilian protection.
Podolyak explained that the upcoming meeting between Moscow and Washington on Sunday would proceed as a bilateral exchange, with Kyiv not taking part. He described the format as a direct dialogue between the Russian and American delegations, focused on positions and the feasibility of a ceasefire, rather than a three-way engagement that would involve Ukraine. The adviser underscored that Kyiv’s absence from this track preserves Ukraine’s negotiating leverage and ensures any commitments are anchored in Ukrainian sovereignty. Kyiv’s stance also reflects a broader aim to safeguard civilian corridors and humanitarian access, which Kyiv has argued must accompany any meaningful cessation of hostilities.
Ukraine reiterated its stance and said it does not intend to join those negotiations. Kyiv officials were cited by Gazeta.ru as saying that Ukraine would stay outside the proceedings while Moscow and Washington discuss ceasefire parameters and related measures. The Ukrainian position has consistently emphasized that any durable resolution must be anchored in Ukrainian sovereignty and security guarantees, with civilian protection at the forefront. As Kyiv outlines its red lines, allies and partners continue to monitor the evolving diplomacy, weighing implications for humanitarian corridors, prisoner exchanges, and postwar reconstruction needs.
On March 19, the conversation between the leaders of the United States and Ukraine, President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky, attracted wide attention. Ukrainian state television channel Public reported that the two presidents discussed potential steps to pause hostilities in airspace, sea zones, and on the front lines. The call lasted nearly an hour, with observers noting that the dialogue touched on recent battlefield developments, the status of ongoing talks, and the prospects for further high level engagement. The participants reportedly explored terms that could form the groundwork for a ceasefire, though the exact parameters were not disclosed by either side, leaving the public with cautious optimism about diplomatic channels opening in the near term.
According to the White House, Trump briefed Zelensky on the contents of his discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the Ukraine crisis. The report indicates that the leaders affirmed the possibility of a ceasefire and examined how such an agreement could be implemented in practice. Zelensky described the current front-line situation and pressed for progress on prisoner exchanges, noting that tangible movement on these issues could influence the pace and scope of any settlement. While the full details were not released, Zelensky stressed that a dialogue under Ukrainian leadership remains constructive and that Kyiv would continue to advocate for terms that secure lasting security and accountability for violations of international law.
White House statements framed the phone discussion as a productive exchange in which both leaders acknowledged the potential for peace in Ukraine. Officials signaled a willingness to sustain dialogue and explore concrete steps that could translate verbal commitments into verifiable actions on the ground. The emphasis was on establishing channels that reduce hostilities while protecting civilians, refining ceasefire arrangements, and advancing humanitarian access and prisoner releases through transparent processes.
Observers noted that Zelensky had earlier called for moving quickly toward a ceasefire, arguing that any durable settlement must be grounded in credible security guarantees and verified reductions in hostilities. Kyiv has stressed the need for international oversight and rapid humanitarian access, along with clear timelines for prisoner exchanges and a roadmap for post-conflict stabilization. As diplomacy continues, Kyiv remains vigilant about the risk that external talks could shape military dynamics, urging that any agreement preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty and align with its strategic goals for regional security and democratic resilience.