Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said his chief negotiators will travel to the United States to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing invasion.
The head of the Ukrainian presidential office, Andriy Yermak, and former defence minister Rustem Umerov are scheduled to meet US officials in New York on Friday, Zelensky said in his evening video address on Wednesday.
The meeting was confirmed by US special envoy Steve Witkoff.
“Everyone working on the substance of the security guarantees will be involved – the military, political, and economic component,” Zelensky said.
“The task is to move as fast as possible, so that this too becomes a lever – a lever of influence. The Russians must see the seriousness of the world’s resolve and how severe the consequences will be for Russia if the war continues,” he added.
Zelensky accused Moscow of refusing to negotiate, breaking a promise made to US President Donald Trump. The security guarantees aim to protect Ukraine from renewed Russian aggression after the war ends.
While the US plans to participate, the bulk of military support is expected from European countries. Russia has firmly rejected NATO troops on Ukrainian soil.
Yermak and Umerov also lead ongoing peace talks in Istanbul and are scouting potential sites for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin. They visited Qatar on Tuesday and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, with talks scheduled in Switzerland on Thursday.
Putin has said he will only meet Ukrainian representatives once a fully negotiated solution to end the war is ready.
