President Donald Trump has demanded that Volodymyr Zelensky hold elections that could remove him from power, prompting fierce backlash from the Ukrainian President.
In a verbal attack on his Ukrainian ally, Trump accused Zelensky of starting the war with Russia and claimed he had just four per cent popularity despite polling suggesting the contrary.
Zelensky was not invited to attend the talks.
He said: "Ukraine, Europe in a broad sense – and this includes the European Union, Turkey, and the UK – should be involved in conversations and the development of the necessary security guarantees with America regarding the fate of our part of the world."
Zelensky continued that talks "should not take place behind our backs".
Donald Trump has demanded Zelenskyy hold Ukrainian elections
REUTERS
Rubio said he felt Russia was coming toward a "serious process" of ending the conflict after the high-level talks.
Rubio also made clear that the conflict is a Ukrainian issue and should be dealt with accordingly, saying: "No one is being sidelined here."
Trump continued saying it was only right to hold elections due to Zelensky’s "four per cent approval rating" despite the most recent poll showing approval at over 50 per cent, down from 70 per cent in the year previous.
The US President added: "I care about getting the job done. You have leadership now that’s allowed a war to go on that should have never even happened."
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Trump also responded to Zelensky’s concerns saying: "When [Zelensky] wants a seat at the table… wouldn’t the people of Ukraine have to say… it’s been a long time since we’ve had an election."
However, Zelensky today hit back at the President accusing Trump of living in a Russian "disinformation bubble".
Elections in Ukraine have not been held throughout the war because of martial law which prohibits holding a ballot.
US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg, who arrived in Ukraine today, said: "Very important for me that he himself [Kellogg] walks on Kyiv streets, other cities" to dispel misinformation on the situation and experience the conditions of the conflict."
Vladimir Putin has not confirmed when his meeting with Trump will take place
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Following the row, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the outcome of Russia-US talks in Saudi Arabia and said that Ukraine would not be excluded from negotiations to end the war.
"Without increasing the level of trust between Russia and the United States, it is impossible to resolve many issues, including the Ukrainian crisis," Putin said in his first comments on Tuesday's meeting in Riyadh.
"The goal of this meeting was precisely to increase trust between Russia and the United States."
He added: "We are not imposing anything on anyone. We are ready, I have already said this a hundred times - if they want, please, let these negotiations take place.
"And we will be ready to return to the table for negotiations."
