Ukraine, US begin new round of security consultations

Kyiv says talks with Washington and European partners focus on long-term security guarantees

ISTANBUL

Ukraine on Friday announced the start of a new round of consultations with the US, with European partners also taking part, aimed at coordinating positions on security issues.

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov said on Facebook that Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Andrii Hnatov is also taking part in the talks.

“We thank the United States for the coordination that allows us to maintain a shared vision and coordinately move forward,” Umerov said, stressing that Ukraine remains committed to a “constructive process.”

Umerov said the outcomes of the talks will be reported to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underlining that the delegation is acting in line with the president’s priorities.

“Ukraine’s security must be guaranteed reliably and in the long term,” he said.

On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a new round of talks with US officials will take place Friday and Saturday in the US, as diplomatic efforts accelerate to end the war with Russia.