Zelenskyy cancels scheduled visit to Saudi Arabia following US-Russia meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he's cancelled his scheduled visit to Saudi Arabia to avoid what he called "coincidences" following a meeting between US and Russian officials in Riyadh.

Zelenskyy’s announcement came as he met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for talks in Ankara, during which he said any Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations shouldn't take place "behind the backs" of the parties involved.

"We are completely honest and open. That's why I don't want any 'coincidences.' That's why I won't go to Saudi Arabia," Zelenskyy told reporters at a joint press conference with Erdogan.

"The Russian-American meeting in Saudi Arabia came as a surprise to us, just as it did to many others. Yes, we saw the media coverage, but I don't know who will stay, who will leave, or where anyone is going. To be honest, I don't really care. What matters to me is that our partners take time to think about us."

The meeting in Riyadh, which was attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other senior officials, was focused on negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine, as well as improving ties between the two nations.

However, Zelenskyy has emphasised that any peace talks between Russia and his country can't develop without "certain security guarantees."

“We want these security guarantees to be given by the whole of Europe, including Turkey, the US and the European Union," he explained.

Meanwhile, President Erdogan stated that the United States’ approach to negotiating a resolution to the war in Ukraine is in line with Turkey’s position.

“There is a diplomatic initiative led by Mr. Trump aimed at ending the war swiftly through negotiations. This approach aligns with the policy Turkey has been pursuing for the past three years,” Erdogan remarked while sitting alongside Zelenskyy.

Erdogan also suggested that Turkey could serve as the “ideal host” for future peace talks between Russia, the US and Ukraine, given Turkey’s previous efforts to mediate between the conflicting parties.