Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Andriy Yermak, Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, addressed the press following a round of meetings on ongoing negotiations between the United States and Ukraine. The officials did not take questions during this appearance but provided an update on the progress made so far.
Rubio described the discussions as highly productive. "So it is in my personal view that we’ve had probably the most productive and meaningful meetings so far in this entire process since we’ve been involved, from the beginning. We have a very good work product that was already built on a foundation of input from all the relative parties involved here, and we were able to go through some of those items now point by point, and I think we made good progress. Our teams are – have now gone to their rooms as we’re working on some of the suggestions that were proffered to us. So we’re working through making some changes, some adjustments, in the hopes of further narrowing the differences and getting closer to something that both Ukraine and, obviously, the United States are very comfortable with."
He emphasized that any agreement would require approval from both presidents before moving forward with broader international engagement: "Obviously, this will ultimately have to be signed off by our presidents, although I feel very comfortable about that happening given the progress we’ve made. And then obviously there’s the Russian side of the equation. But again, we think we have some pretty substantial insights over the last nine months into some of the things that are really important to them."
Rubio added: "So, I think the takeaway from it is I think this was a very, very meaningful, I would say probably best meeting and day we’ve had so far in this entire process, going back to when we first came into office in January. But there’s still some work left to do and that’s what our teams are going to be doing right now, and we’d like to come back to you maybe a little later tonight with further updates."
Yermak confirmed significant movement toward peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia: "Dear journalists, dear Marco, and I want to confirm that we have very productive first session with distinguished American delegation. We have very good progress and we are moving forward to the just and lasting peace. Ukrainian people deserve and want this peace more than anymore – anyone in this planet. We thank our big friends, United States and personal President Trump and his team, to their commitment to bring this peace."
He also noted ongoing collaboration with European partners: "And we will continue to work today, as Secretary said. We will be working and in coming days to join proposals, and we will – also will engage our European friends and, of course, the final words will be of our leaders, of the President of United States, and Ukraine..."
Both officials indicated they would provide additional updates later as talks continued.
