Why is the absence of Ukrainian officials from the U.S.-Russia talks significant?

The absence of Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, from the U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia raises serious concerns about the legitimacy of these negotiations. When Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met to discuss the war in Ukraine, the complete exclusion of Ukrainian representation undermined the principle that Ukraine should have agency in determining its own future. This diplomatic approach has prompted skepticism from Ukraine's leadership about potential agreements that might favor Russian interests without Ukrainian input. The exclusion calls into question whether decisions made during these talks will respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, highlighting the problematic nature of major powers negotiating over a nation's fate without its participation.