Europe frozen out of peace talks as Russia’s war on Ukraine enters fourth year

Any settlement that excludes Ukraine or undermines its legitimate aspirations will be neither just nor viable,

they added

Evika Siliņalatvian Prime Minister

Today we are going to talk about our proposal for joint negotiations,

Siliņa said

We have ready-made scenarios, but we have to agree on this big framework,

she said

We need to talk about whether this is being done and what the legal framework will be because so far we have all seen it as a joint NATO mission,

she said

Simon Harrisforeign Affairs

The reality here is there’s only been one aggressor in relation to this brutal illegal invasion, and that is [Russian president] Vladimir Putin, who took a decision to invade a peaceful and neighbouring country on the continent of Europe and Ireland and the European Union,

Mr Harris told RTÉ radio’s News at One

Now we have very strict and clear rules around peacekeeping including UN mandate, a mandate from the Oireachtas and a mandate from the Government. So, the honest answer is we’re not at this point yet, but we certainly shouldn’t recuse ourselves from being part of that conversation should we get to that point.”

He told the programme

Europe will have to be at the talks because a peace agreement will not work without European participation to some degree and at some stage,

he said

Sergey Lavrovrussian Foreign Minister

We explained today that the appearance of troops ... from Nato countries but under some other flag, under the flag of the European Union or national flags, does not change anything and is, of course, unacceptable to us,

Mr Lavrov said

Sergey Lavrovrussian Foreign Minister

We did not just listen, but we heard each other. I have grounds to think that the American side has started to understand our position better.”

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov described the talks as “very useful”, adding

Marco Rubiosecretary of State

The goal is to bring an end to this conflict in a way that’s fair, enduring, sustainable and acceptable to all parties involved,

Mr Rubio said

Volodymyr Zelenskyyukrainian President

We were not invited to this Russian-American meeting in Saudi Arabia, it was a surprise for us ... We do not want anyone to decide anything behind our backs. I think this is fair,

Mr Zelenskiy said, noting

Everybody wants to see an end to the war but how that peace is brought about matters,

he said

I have a sense that negotiations are taking place now with the same mood – this time between representatives of Russia and the United States; again about Ukraine, without Ukraine,

he said