US President Donald Trump is the only world leader who can force Russia to start real negotiations, said the head of the Ukrainian President's Office Andriy Ermak, quoted by an Ukrinform and BTA correspondent.
Ermak made this statement to journalists, commenting on the results of his meeting with White House special envoy Steve Witkoff in New York.
"I think everyone now understands that the only leader who can force Russia to sit at the negotiating table is President Trump. And today it was important to hear from Witkoff that President Trump remains committed to the progress of this process. This is important for him," said Ermak.
The Ukrainian representative noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky maintains a transparent and principled position and is ready for a bilateral format of negotiations. "He is ready for the proposed bilateral format, which was proposed by Putin when, after the summit with European leaders, President Trump called him (Putin – note. Ukrinform) and he agreed to this format," Ermak noted.
Yermak also indicated that several countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Turkey and Italy, have expressed their readiness to host negotiations in a bilateral or trilateral format. However, political will is needed, he added.
"There will definitely be a meeting – bilateral or trilateral (with Trump's participation – note. Ukrinform)", he said and added: "And the negotiations will definitely start at some point".
The head of the Ukrainian President's Office also noted that the position of Ukraine, the United States and the European Union makes it impossible for Russia to continue to deceive the world. "Peace must be fair", he pointed out and added: "Nobody wants peace more than we, the Ukrainians".
As Ukrinform has already reported, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko and Andriy Yermak are visiting New York. Yesterday, Yermak held talks with Witkoff.
The US State Department has approved a potential sale to Ukraine of spare parts and support services for Patriot air defense systems worth $179 million, the Pentagon announced today, quoted by Reuters.
The main companies executing the order will be RTX and "Lockheed Martin", the Pentagon said in its statement.
The US State Department has approved the potential sale of the Integrated Combat Command System for the deployment of "Patriot" air defense systems and related equipment to Denmark for $8.5 billion, the Pentagon announced today, quoted by Reuters.
The main companies executing the order are RTX, "Lockheed Martin" and "Northrop Grumman".