US attempts to “appease” Russian dictator with efforts to quickly resolve Russia-Ukraine war – Zelensky

The United States of America is seeking to expedite a resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war in an effort that could be perceived as attempting to accommodate Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed this belief in an interview with the ARD television channel, Tagesschau reports.

According to President Zelensky, the United States aims to accommodate Putin to "find common ground and quickly achieve success."

However, as Zelensky emphasized, "a ceasefire is not success."

The president also commented on Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth's statement that returning to the 2014 borders is "unrealistic." Zelensky expressed confidence that the territories occupied by Russia will someday become part of Ukraine again.

"Of course, we will return everything. Respect for international law will return. If not today, then tomorrow," the president emphasized.

President Zelensky reiterated that resolving the Russia-Ukraine war cannot occur without Ukraine's involvement.

"Everything that Russia and the United States can agree on — if they want to agree on anything at all — concerns their bilateral relations. They definitely cannot agree on our people, our lives, and the end of the war without us. We are an independent state," the president added.

For reference:

According to the Axios publication, Russia and the United States representatives will meet on February 18.

As noted, the American delegation will include:

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio,
• White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz,
• Ambassador to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has already arrived in Saudi Arabia on February 17.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Vladimir Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov flew from the Russian Federation to Riyadh to meet with representatives of the United States.

Ukraine was not invited to the talks in Saudi Arabia. Still, the United States intends to hold a bilateral meeting with Russia, then a bilateral meeting with Ukraine, and then joint talks.

On Tuesday, February 18, high-ranking officials of the United States and Russia will meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss a possible agreement to end the war in Ukraine and prepare for a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

The plans of the US presidential administration include reaching an agreement on a ceasefire in Ukraine by Easter, which will be celebrated on April 20.

Meanwhile, Kellogg asserted that no peace agreement will be imposed on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, emphasizing that Ukraine will ultimately make the decision.