Ukrainian, US teams to hold next round of talks today
Kyiv, Jan 17
Ukrainian and US teams will hold another round of negotiations on Saturday in Miami, Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Olga Stefanishyna announced.
The delegations are expected to refine agreements on security guarantees and Ukraine's economic prosperity, which could be signed at the World Economic Forum in Davos next week, according to Stefanishyna's post on X.
The Ukrainian delegation includes head of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov, Presidential Office chief Kyrylo Budanov, and Chairman of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction David Arakhamia, Xinhua news agency reported.
The latest round of negotiations between the Ukrainian and US delegations took place last month.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that Ukraine needs permanent security guarantees, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported.
Zelensky told a press conference that Ukrainian and US officials will soon hold discussions on security guarantees and the recovery package for Ukraine, noting that the agreements could be signed during the World Economic Forum in Davos next week.
He emphasised that currently, Ukraine requires a steady supply of missiles for its air defense systems to protect itself.
Until Friday, several air defense systems in the country had been without missiles, but Ukraine received a new missile package in the morning of the same day, said Zelensky.
Meanwhile, Russia values and welcomes the United States' efforts to steer the resolution of the Ukraine conflict onto a political and diplomatic track, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.
"Washington's efforts to channel the Ukraine settlement into a political and diplomatic framework align with Russia's interests, and we value such endeavors," he said.
Peskov emphasised that peace cannot be achieved passively, and that reciprocal efforts from all relevant countries are crucial. "Security hinges on dialogue. We are engaged in such dialogue with the US side, and we highly appreciate Washington's efforts in this regard," he added.
"For peace to be established, concerted and reciprocal actions from all parties are a must," Peskov said.
The spokesman further noted that Russia remains open to negotiations with the United States, stressing that while Moscow maintains dialogue with Washington, it has no such talks with Europe.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The economic impact of this war is felt everywhere, even in India with fuel prices. Hoping for a diplomatic solution soon. The Davos meeting is crucial. Peace talks are always better than prolonged conflict.
Interesting to see Russia welcoming US diplomatic efforts. The geopolitics is complex. India has to navigate its relationships with both sides carefully. Our foreign policy of strategic autonomy seems wise in this scenario.
The human cost is devastating. As someone living in Delhi but with colleagues in Europe, the ripple effects are real. I hope the security guarantees discussed provide a lasting framework. No country should be without air defense missiles.
With all due respect, the billions spent on this war could transform global healthcare or education. While Ukraine's sovereignty is important, the scale of resources is staggering. A diplomatic track is the only sane way forward.
The mention of "economic prosperity" agreements is key. Post-war reconstruction will be massive. Indian companies and skilled workers could potentially play a role in rebuilding, just like in the Gulf. Something for our policymakers to consider.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.