Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief and President's Office Head held talks with Austin and Sullivan
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi (photo: Getty Images)
Representatives of Ukraine's military and political leadership held talks with top US officials regarding the needs of the Armed Forces to deter Russian large-scale aggression, including accelerating arms deliveries, and the current situation on the front lines in Ukraine, according to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, and the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak.
Who participated in the negotiations
In the Ukrainian delegation, in addition to the Chief of the General Staff and the Head of the Presidential Office, Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov also took part. From the American side, the participants included President Biden's national security advisor Jake Sullivan, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Q. Brown Jr.
What did Yermak say
According to Yermak, it was a detailed discussion about the situation on the front lines, Russian offensive attempts, and what aid Ukraine needs immediately.
The Presidential Office emphasized that Ukraine urgently needs accelerated arms deliveries.
"We thoroughly discussed this. Thanks to our allies for their aid. Together, we can thwart Russian plans," Yermak wrote on his Telegram channel.
Syrskyi about the negotiations
On his part, Syrskyi noted that during the talks with American officials, they discussed the situation on the front lines, as well as the aid needed by Ukraine on the battlefield.
Sullivan about the negotiations
White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan stated at a briefing that the negotiations lasted for 90 minutes. The participants discussed the detailed situation on the front lines and identified the types of weapons Ukraine needs.
"We spoke for ninety minutes with the detailed conversation about the situation on the front, about capabilities that they are most in need of and a real triage effort to say get us this stuff fast so that we can be in a position to effectively defend against the Russian onslaught," Sullivan said.
He also added that the White House is working with Ukraine at the highest government level to ensure and guarantee that the US is doing everything possible to deliver weapons to Ukraine.
US aid to Ukraine
Earlier on May 13, White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan announced that the US would soon announce the transfer of a new package of military aid to Ukraine.
At the same time, a White House representative clarified that this would happen in the next few days. However, he did not disclose details of what would be included in the aid package.
It was also reported earlier on May 10 that the White House announced that the US would provide Ukraine with weapons as part of a new $400 million military aid package. According to the head of the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, Ukraine will receive missiles for Patriot, NASAMS, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, ammunition for HIMARS and artillery, equipment, and more from the US.
