Yermak discussed with American officials the issue of a ceasefire in Ukraine and possible peace negotiations
The head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, recently held an important telephone conversation with several high-ranking officials of the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, during which prospects for a ceasefire on Ukrainian territory and the acceleration of peace negotiations were discussed. This meeting became a logical continuation of previous diplomatic consultations, including a phone call between Presidents Zelensky and Trump that took place the day before. According to information released by the Press Service of the Office of the President, the conversation between Ukrainian and American leaders occurred against the backdrop of yesterday’s phone call between the leaders of Ukraine and the United States. The main topic of the meeting was the prospects for a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine and the possibility of further conflict resolution through negotiations. The Ukrainian side was represented by Rustem Umerov, Minister of Defense of Ukraine, while the American delegation included U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who recently assumed the duties of National Security Advisor to the U.S. President, as well as special representatives for Ukraine Stephen Vitkoff and General Kiet Kellogg. It is worth noting that this call was the first after Rubio’s appointment to his new position, and it played an important role in strengthening diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. Reports indicate that the discussion focused on the possibility of achieving a sustainable ceasefire and finding ways for a peaceful settlement of the situation in eastern Ukraine. We remind that on May 8, Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump had a telephone conversation during which the Presidents discussed, among other things, the ratification by Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada of the agreement on economic partnership between the two countries. Following this conversation, Trump expressed hope on his social media platforms for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. At the same time, he mentioned the possibility of imposing new sanctions against Russia and hinted at potential negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing that the situation around the conflict remains complex and multifaceted. Trump also commented on the Russian leadership’s proposal for a three-day ceasefire, which seemed “very ambitious” to him given past agreements. He pointed out that falling oil prices could have shifted President Vladimir Putin’s position, making him more receptive to conciliatory steps toward achieving peace in the region. Overall, these diplomatic initiatives indicate persistent efforts by the international community and Ukrainian leadership to find ways to stop the bloodshed and restore peace in Donbas. Currently, questions remain regarding the specific conditions for a possible ceasefire and the need to involve international partners in monitoring and supporting any agreements. At the same time, the internal situation in Ukraine continues to be tense, and diplomatic efforts are crucial for achieving long-term stability in the region. Ukrainian politicians and officials hope that this new phase of diplomatic dialogue will strengthen the possibilities of reaching peace and resolving the ongoing conflict that has lasted for over five years.