Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the constructive nature of the meeting between the security advisors of Ukraine and its international partners, which took place on August 9 in the United Kingdom. He reported this in his evening address following the briefing by the head of the President’s Office, Andriy Yermak, who directly participated in the negotiations.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Participants and Outcomes of the Security Negotiations
The meeting included representatives from the United States, notably Vice President Pence, as well as advisors from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, and Poland. According to Zelensky, the negotiations were constructive, and Ukrainian arguments were heard and taken into account. The main focus during the discussion was on the necessity of jointly shaping a path to peace, emphasizing that only a consolidated position can ensure a ceasefire, end the occupation, and stop the war.
“There were negotiations between the security representatives of the United States and Europe: Ukraine, the United States – Vice President Pence, – the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, Poland. The meeting was constructive. Our signals were all conveyed. Our arguments are being heard. The dangers are being considered. The path to peace for Ukraine must be determined together and only together with Ukraine, this is fundamental. And it is important that our joint approaches and shared vision work towards real peace. A consolidated position. A ceasefire. An end to the occupation. An end to the war,” the president stated.
Reaction to Possible Agreements and Ukraine’s Position
Zelensky stressed that the tactics of Russian leader Vladimir Putin are evident to all participants in the negotiations. In his opinion, Putin is trying to use the pause in the war to legitimize the occupation of Ukrainian territories and avoid sanctions. The president firmly stated that Ukraine will not allow Russia to gain territorial advantages a second time, and based on previous experience, concessions to Russia only lead to new stages of aggression. That is why Ukraine stands firm on clear and unchanging positions regarding the protection of its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The president emphasized that the end of the war is only possible based on a just peace, which is grounded in a reliable security architecture. At the same time, contacts with the American side are ongoing at various levels, but not all details of these negotiations are made public.
Zelensky’s statement came against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of his intention to meet with Vladimir Putin in Alaska to achieve a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. Trump suggested that possible agreements could include issues of “territorial exchanges.”
According to The Wall Street Journal, Putin, in a conversation with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, expressed readiness for a complete ceasefire on the condition that Ukraine withdraws its troops from the entire Donetsk region.
At the same time, Volodymyr Zelensky categorically rejected the possibility of transferring any Ukrainian territories to Russia, emphasizing that the state position is defined by the Constitution of Ukraine, and there will be no concessions to the occupiers. The president also stated his readiness for real decisions that will lead to the establishment of peace.
European diplomats, according to The Wall Street Journal, have prepared a joint plan for ending the war, which will be discussed during the upcoming negotiations between the presidents of the U.S. and Russia. The plan stipulates the announcement of a ceasefire as a primary condition, the possibility of territorial exchanges only on a mutual basis, and the necessity of firm security guarantees for Ukraine, including the prospect of NATO membership in the event of any concessions from Kyiv.