Ukraine will never accept Russia’s ultimatums, Volodymyr Zelenskyy says

<p>President says negotiations between US and Russian delegates in Saudi Arabia ‘held behind Ukraine’s back’</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/feb/18/russia-us-ukraine-peace-talks-donald-trump-vladimir-putin-volodymyr-zelenskyy-saudi-arabia-live-latest-updates-news">Europe live – latest on Ukraine talks</a></li></ul><p>Ukraine reacted with gloom and dismay on Tuesday to the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/18/us-russia-ukraine-talks-riyadh-saudi-arabia">meeting between the US and Russia</a> in Saudi Arabia, with Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying<strong> </strong>he would never accept Russia’s ultimatums.</p><p>The high-stakes negotiations between the two delegations got under way in Riyadh just hours after Russia attacked Ukraine with dozens of drones. At least two people were killed and 26 injured in strikes across the country.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/18/ukraine-officials-say-us-is-appeasing-russia-with-talks-in-riyadh">Continue reading...</a>