Talks with US 'not easy' but 'productive', says Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described talks with US envoys in Berlin as “not easy” but “productive” on Monday, as discussions continue over a potential resolution to the conflict with Russia.
"These conversations are never easy, to be honest with you," he said, speaking at a German-Ukrainian business forum in Berlin. "But the conversation was productive, with a lot of details, really a lot.”
On Sunday and Monday, Zelensky and his negotiator, Rustem Umerov, met with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Berlin, in an attempt to reach a compromise on a plan that could end the fighting in Ukraine.
A senior US official described the discussions as “really, really positive” during a telephone exchange with the press. "We are hopeful that we are on the path to peace," said the official, who requested to remain anonymous.
The official added that the draft agreement on Ukraine provides for “very strong security guarantees” at NATO level, and that the United States believes Russia will accept the text.
Frozen Russian assets
Zelensky also called on Monday for the full utilisation of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's defence, at a time when Europeans are under pressure to decide whether to use the assets or not.
"These funds must be used fully and effectively to defend against Russia's aggression," said Zelensky at the business forum. "It is fair, it is reasonable, and it must be achievable."
The use of frozen Russian assets, nearly 185 billion euros of which are held by Euroclear in Brussels, is the subject of heated debate in Europe. Belgium is particularly concerned about the financial and economic risks involved in using the assets to fund support for Ukraine.
© PHOTO JOHN MACDOUGALL / AFP
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