In Washington, Ermak made a loud statement regarding the future of Russia: it should be forced to lay down its arms by force
Active diplomatic activity around the Ukraine-Russia topic continues in the capital of the United States, Washington. Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, who is visiting the U.S., held an important meeting with a high-ranking official from the White House — U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine, Kate Kellogg. On this occasion, he reported the results of the negotiations through his personal Telegram channel, amidst a complex diplomatic backdrop. According to Yermak, during the conversation, he and his team discussed several key issues, not only related to the military situation at the front but also diplomatic steps to strengthen Ukraine amid the war. In particular, he emphasized the outcomes of recent negotiations in Istanbul, the importance of intensifying international sanctions against Russia, and the need to provide Ukraine with additional defensive aid. Special attention was given to issues most troubling to Ukrainians — the незаконно викрадених Росією дітей (illegally kidnapped children by Russia), whose fate raises serious international concerns. The Ukrainian diplomat noted that during his talks in Washington, he explicitly expressed his position regarding the goal of Russian aggression. The Ukrainian side is convinced that the international community must stop the Kremlin regime not only through diplomatic means but also by exerting force if necessary — with pressure, including force. “Russia is doing everything to prevent a ceasefire, and this must be ended by shifting the balance of power,” Yermak stressed. He added that Ukrainian military forces have made every effort to end the war peacefully; however, if the enemy continues to refuse to cease hostilities voluntarily, Ukraine must act decisively — carrying out operations and destroying the enemy’s military potential. Sources from diplomatic circles report that Yermak expressed this idea in the context of his conviction of the necessity for radical decisions to finally liberate Ukrainian territory from Russian occupation. He also expressed gratitude to the American people and the U.S. authorities for their consistent support of Ukraine in this difficult fight. According to him, Western countries are helping with all their might so that Ukraine can withstand and achieve victory, and this process requires even greater resolve and unity. At the same time, in the U.S., there is optimism about the opportunities for strategic discussions directly with the Ukrainian delegation. On Tuesday, a Ukrainian delegation led by Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko arrived in Washington for a series of meetings with representatives of Donald Trump’s administration and other key political figures. The goal of these negotiations is to renew and strengthen bilateral relations, and to establish closer cooperation in military, economic, and humanitarian areas. According to media and diplomatic sources, Washington currently seems to be somewhat dissatisfied with Russia’s position, which has put forward ultimatums during negotiations in Istanbul. The U.S. notes that such actions by Moscow cause disappointment but not surprise among experts and diplomats. They emphasize that the Kremlin’s recent statements only confirm that Russia deliberately seeks to prolong the conflict as much as possible and persuade Western partners and Ukrainians to accept compromises that favor only one side. Analyzing this situation in general, one can conclude that Washington continues to support Ukraine, and the strategy of exerting military pressure on Russia is often dismissed in diplomatic circles as an unnecessary chance to stop the war. In this context, the Ukrainian position is quite clear — to force Russia to change its aggressive behavior by any means necessary, to achieve the long-awaited peace on Ukrainian soil. Amid these events, experts emphasize that the situation remains tense, and every new step taken by Ukraine in diplomacy or defense is decisive in determining the future of the war. At the same time, Ukrainians and the global community hope that persistent efforts in the fight for freedom and independence will ultimately yield positive results and allow for an end to the armed conflict, which has already taken many lives and destroyed the fates of thousands.