Ukraine and US will hold talks today: New participants join format
Photo: Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the RNBO of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukrainian and US officials will hold a new round of talks today, December 19. European partners are now also taking part in the discussions, according to Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (RNBO), on Telegram.
He said that together with Lieutenant General Andrii Hnatov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, he will start a new round of consultations with the US side today.
"European partners are also involved in this format at the invitation of the US side. I thank the US for the coordination, which allows us to maintain a shared vision and move forward in a coordinated manner," Umerov said.
According to the RNBO Secretary, Ukraine has a constructive approach. In particular, preliminary consultations with European colleagues have already been held. Preparations are underway for further talks with US officials.
Umerov added that he will report the results of the consultations to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"We are acting clearly in accordance with the priorities set by the president: Ukraine’s security must be guaranteed reliably and in the long term," he emphasized.
Ukraine–US talks
The previous meeting between Ukrainian and US officials took place just a few days ago in Berlin. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy participated in the talks, while the US side was represented by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and the US president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
After the talks, both sides emphasized that they had made progress. Meanwhile, UK Defense Secretary John Healey noted after the Ukraine–US meeting in Berlin that peace negotiations had advanced further than ever since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Territorial issues remain the main point of contention. At the same time, Zelenskyy emphasized that the US "hears" Ukraine’s position.
Incidentally, according to media rumors, US officials may also meet with the Russian delegation this weekend. The Kremlin has sent Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, to the negotiations.
