Ukraine prepares for US talks on ending war, security, air defense – Zelensky

Ukraine's negotiating team has departed for the United States to discuss security arrangements, including air defense and ending Russia's war against Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in his nightly video address published on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

"There has been a pause in the talks, and it is time to resume them. We are doing everything to ensure that the negotiations are genuinely substantive. The Ukrainian team – the political members of the negotiating group – is already on the way, and we expect a meeting this Saturday in the United States," Zelensky said.

According to the president, this week Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov visited key capitals in the Gulf region and has already briefed him on the results by phone. A detailed online report is expected tomorrow.

"There is an understanding of what new security agreements can be reached with countries in the region. There are concrete areas in which they can support us, Ukraine, support our defense – above all, air defense – and there are areas in which we can support them, and are already doing so," Zelensky said.

He added that Ukrainian expert groups focused on countering Shahed drones are already working in relevant countries and report daily on their progress.

"It is also important that we have received signals from the U.S. side indicating readiness to continue working within the existing negotiation formats to bring an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine," Zelensky said.

The president said he had discussed the negotiations in detail with NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov, Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov, and leader of the Servant of the People faction in parliament Davyd Arakhamiia.

"Our priority is to do everything possible to create the conditions for a dignified peace. I thank everyone who is helping with this," Zelensky said.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine