During his working visit to the United States, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, met US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, UK National Security Advisor Tim Barrow, Foreign Policy Advisor to German Chancellor Jens Ploetner and Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of France Emmanuel Bonne.
Yermak expressed his gratitude to the leadership of the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and France for their continued support of Ukraine in repelling the full-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation and for their active position on restoring a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and security in Europe.
He thanked his counterparts for participating in the meetings of national security and political advisers in Malta, Jeddah and Copenhagen.
The parties discussed the situation on the battlefield. According to Yermak, the Ukrainian army has already recaptured about 50% of the previously occupied territories, but today the number of Russian troops in Ukraine is three times higher than at the beginning of the aggression, so Ukraine needs to maintain international support.
In addition, the meeting focused on the protection of the "grain corridor" in the Black Sea. Despite numerous Russian air attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure, the corridor continues to operate thanks to cooperation with Ukraine's partners, primarily from the Black Sea region.
"Dozens of ships have already sailed this route, which has helped reduce threats to global food security. However, we need additional air defence systems to protect and ensure the operation of the grain corridor," Yermak stressed.
The parties also continued the dialogue on concluding bilateral agreements on security guarantees within the framework of the Joint Declaration on Support for Ukraine adopted by the G7 countries in Vilnius. It was noted that the work being done in this context would facilitate the transition of Ukraine's defence forces to NATO standards and Western weapons.
The advisers to the leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and France assured Yermak that they would support Ukraine as long as necessary to achieve a just peace.
In a speech at the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C., Yermak said that strengthening air defence would allow Ukraine to reopen one of its airports. He emphasised that the country has a plan to increase its own production, but that weapons are needed now.
The day before, Yermak met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The parties discussed Ukraine's air defence needs, sanctions against Russia and security guarantees. The Ukrainian side noted the White House's request to Congress for funding the support for Ukraine.