Ukraine ready for peace talks, says Yermak
Andriy Yermak, a senior adviser to Ukraine's President, has told the German broadcaster DW from New York that Kyiv is ready for peace talks with Russia.
He expressed confidence that Ukraine would achieve victory "at the negotiating table" as well.
"Now we're saying: push Russia to the negotiating table, and you'll see — we will also be victorious there," Mr Yermak said.
In New York, the Ukrainian official met Steve Witkoff, special envoy of the US President, to implement agreements reached at the Washington summit on August 18.
However, Mr Yermak added there was no indication from Moscow that it was ready for bilateral talks as discussed at the White House. He said it was "important to confirm our readiness for constructive cooperation, our openness."
During the meeting, Mr Yermak also spoke to Mr Witkoff about recent visits to several countries that have expressed a willingness to host a potential summit between Presidents Zelensky and Putin. "These wonderful countries are ready to organize the meeting at any time. Everything now depends on Russia's position," the head of the Kyiv presidential administration stated.
Meanwhile, the US has expressed doubts about Moscow's peaceful intentions at the UN Security Council. John Kelly, the Deputy US Representative, cited a recent Russian attack on Kyiv that followed Trump's statements about Moscow's readiness to negotiate as an example of President Putin's true intentions.
"The attacks on Kyiv raise questions about the seriousness of Russia's intentions for peace. These strikes on civilian areas must cease immediately," the US diplomat told a UN Security Council meeting.
According to Mr Kelly, Russia would face further sanctions from the United States if the war continues. Washington is calling on Moscow to "avoid these consequences by stopping the violence and beginning constructive efforts to end the war," DW reports.
Russia launched a new, massive attack on Kyiv on the night of August 28, killing 25 people, according to the latest reports.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
