Asger Risom
Kyiv Excluded from High-Level Discussions in Saudi Arabia
Diplomatic negotiations often aim to bring an end to conflict, but they can also deepen divisions when key players are left out.
As U.S. and Russian officials prepare for crucial talks on the war in Ukraine, Kyiv has been notably excluded—while Moscow continues its relentless military strikes.
Massive Drone Attack Targets Ukraine
Just hours before U.S.-Russia negotiations were set to begin in Riyadh, Russia launched a large-scale drone assault on Ukraine.
According to Digi24, Ukraine’s air force reported that 176 attack drones were deployed overnight, marking another wave in Moscow’s ongoing strategy to weaken Ukrainian defenses and damage critical infrastructure.
More than 100 drones were intercepted, while around 70 decoy drones vanished from radar without causing harm. However, Ukrainian officials have not yet disclosed the full extent of the damage or casualties.
Escalation Before Peace Talks
This latest assault comes amid a surge in Russian airstrikes. In the past week alone, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia has launched over 1,220 aerial bombs, 850 attack drones, and 40 missiles of various types.
Despite these escalations, U.S. and Russian representatives are moving forward with talks in Saudi Arabia—talks from which Ukraine has been excluded. The discussions, expected to be the most significant negotiations between Washington and Moscow since the war began, are aimed at finding a path toward de-escalation.
Uncertain Future for Ukraine
The exclusion of Kyiv from these peace discussions raises concerns over whether Ukraine’s interests will be fully represented.
As Russia intensifies its attacks and diplomatic maneuvers continue without Ukraine at the table, the path forward remains uncertain. The question now is whether any proposed agreements will reflect Kyiv’s goals—or merely those of the negotiating superpowers.