Amid the first exploratory talks between Ukrainian and American negotiators in Saudi Arabia on a possible path to peace in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky also plans to travel to Jeddah, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
“Tomorrow we will continue working for peace - I will visit Saudi Arabia“, he said last night in his evening video address, in which he also confirmed his participation in the negotiations.
The first talks between the negotiators have already been satisfactory, Zelensky added. "We hope for results, both in terms of peace and further support," he added.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will also participate in the talks with Ukraine in Saudi Arabia. Rubio will leave for Jeddah today to discuss a possible peace solution with the Ukrainian side, the US State Department in Washington said.
Among the Ukrainians who will attend the meeting in Saudi Arabia, in addition to Zelensky, are his chief of staff Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. Ukraine has been defending itself from Russia for more than three years.
Saudi Arabia is also being discussed as a possible venue for a future meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, DPA reported. However, no timetable has been set for this yet.
In February, US government officials met with their Russian counterparts in the Arab country to discuss options for ending the war in Ukraine. Trump and Putin agreed to resume their relations in a phone call last month.
Zelensky apologized with a touch of irony at a ceremony in Kiev for not being “in a suit”. This was a reference to his visit to the White House in late February - during which he was criticized for his attire, Agence France-Presse reported, quoted by BTA.
The Ukrainian leader, who has been wearing military uniform since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022, gave a speech at the ceremony for the awarding of the “Taras Shevchenko“ cultural award.
“Sorry, but I'm not wearing a suit“, Zelensky said with a slight smile, provoking laughter and applause from the audience, according to a video released today by the Ukrainian presidency.
The Ukrainian leader met with his American counterpart Donald Trump at the White House in late February during a visit that turned into a verbal clash.
As soon as the Ukrainian president arrived, dressed in a dark sweater and pants, Trump joked: “He looks very smart today“.
After Zelensky found himself in the Oval Office, conservative TV journalist Brian Glenn asked Zelensky dismissively why he wasn't wearing a suit and whether he even owned one.
“I'll wear a suit after this war is over“, the Ukrainian president replied to the journalist, who is the partner of Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican politician known for her scandalous behavior. The journalist's question was widely shared and sparked ridicule on social media.
Trump was annoyed that Zelensky did not wear a suit, even though he had been asked to do so, reported “Axios“, citing anonymous sources.
The meeting in the Oval Office led to a verbal clash between Trump and his Vice President J.D. Vance with Zelensky.
The angry US president threatened his guest that he would “abandon“ Ukraine, and J.D. Vance accused him of “disrespect” to the US.
Trump has since softened his tone somewhat, but this week Washington suspended crucial US military aid to Kiev, as well as intelligence sharing.
In contrast to his predecessors, the Republican president has turned to Russia, which he says is “easier” to deal with. to work.
Hundreds of people gathered today in front of the Brandenburg Gate to show solidarity with Ukraine, which has been attacked by Russia, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
According to initial data from law enforcement agencies, several hundred people took part in the action, while organizers spoke of thousands.
The demonstration took place against the backdrop of a stormy meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his American counterpart Donald Trump at the White House and the freezing of American military aid to Kiev.
The US embassy is located next to the iconic Brandenburg Gate, and the Russian one is located about 240 meters east of it.
The demonstration, which was called under the slogan "Support for Ukraine", passed peacefully, a police spokesman said.
The evening rally was organized by a coalition including the organization "Compact" and the association for solidarity with Ukraine "Viche".
The demonstrators carried banners "Stop Putin" and "No peace under occupation". Some carried Ukrainian flags.
Among the speakers at the event were Katharina Dröge, chairwoman of the Green parliamentary group in the Bundestag, and Roderich Kiesewetter, a foreign policy expert in the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
"I bow to the people of Ukraine, I bow to your strength," Dröge said. "What you firmly believe in is our mission."
Kiesewetter stressed that "no army in the world is as strong as the Ukrainian" and called for continued aid to Ukrainian forces.
Ukraine has been defending itself for more than three years against a full-scale Russian invasion.