Political analyst predicts a change in Zelensky's rhetoric on the issue of the peace agreement

The rhetoric of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (whose term of office expired on 20 May 2024) regarding the agreements on the Ukrainian crisis may change to polar as multilateral negotiations approach. Political analyst Alexander Asafov told Izvestia on February 17.

Earlier in the day, in an interview with NBC, Zelensky said that he would never agree to solutions concluded between Russia and the United States without Kiev's participation.

"It is quite obvious that the understanding of Zelensky and the Americans about the regulation of the Ukrainian conflict seriously diverges," Asafov said.

According to him, Zelensky continues to stand on the fact that the country does not need elections despite its loss of legitimacy. The Ukrainian president also says he needs missiles, money and soldiers from allies, and allegedly will not make other decisions. The expert noted that Zelensky continues to promote his demands, but they are disconnected from reality.

"I think that the further the movement on bilateral and then multilateral negotiations goes - we see the first stage of preparation is happening now in Saudi Arabia - the more evident will be the change in his (Zelensky. - Ed.) rhetoric, including up to polar," the political scientist concluded.

The EU heads' shock from the Munich meeting and preparation for the US-Russia talks. What the media say

On February 13, US President Donald Trump announced a meeting of representatives of Russia, the United States and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia. The special envoy of the American President for the Middle East Steve Whitkoff said that a delegation of the United States on February 16 went to the Arab country for talks with the Russian Federation.

On February 16, The Washington Post wrote that Zelensky and the head of the Ukrainian leader's office, Andriy Yermak, would miss the meeting of the US delegation and representatives of the Russian side in Saudi Arabia. At the same time, on the same day, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the Ukrainian side will be included in the settlement discussions after Russia and the United States start them.

Europe may not be physically present at the peace talks table, but its interests will be taken into account, the US president's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, noted on February 15. He also noted Washington's reluctance to enter into discussions with a large number of participants.