Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made important statements at a press conference following the talks held in Saudi Arabia. Zelenski stated that two separate declarations will be published as a result of the talks and emphasized that the agreements between the US-Ukraine and the US-Russia show significant differences in the fifth article.
Zelenski stated that the parties primarily agreed on silence at sea and free ship traffic. Stating that Ukraine also discussed the issue of stopping attacks on infrastructure with the United States, Zelenski announced that an agreement was also reached on stopping attacks on energy facilities. In this context, it was committed that both Ukraine and Russia’s energy facilities would not be hit. Ukraine also provided the US with a list of targets it defines as “strategic infrastructure”. Regarding the oversight mechanism, Zelenski stated that during the talks with the US, it was agreed that Turkey, European countries or countries from the Middle East could be included in the oversight process. At the suggestion of the US, it was also agreed to take steps towards a stable peace process. Zelensky explained that the most critical difference between the agreements is in the fifth article. In the Ukraine-US agreement, it was stated that the US would provide support for the return of abducted children, the exchange of prisoners of war and civilians, while in the US-Russia agreement, it was stated that Russia requested logistics and customs facilities for the export of agricultural products from the US. Zelensky emphasized that this could mean a relaxation of sanctions and that Ukraine opposes this clause.
