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Ukraine and its European allies continue talks to end Russia’s nearly four-year war, as European national security advisers arrive in Kiev on Saturday to discuss a 20-point peace plan led by the United States.
Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s chief negotiator, said representatives from European countries and organizations were also present, as well as representatives from Canada and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
In a social media post about X, President Zelenskiy said progress had been made on three key elements: “security guarantees, reconstruction, and a basic framework for real reconstruction.”
“We are also preparing for a meeting in the United States,” Zelenskiy added.
“An intensive working day awaits us, including security and economic issues, working on framework documents and coordinating further steps with partners,” Umerov wrote to X earlier in the day, along with a photo welcoming EU advisers.
Ukrainian negotiator Oleksandr Bevs said the security plan with EU countries includes the Ukrainian army as a first line of defense, European-led forces in Ukraine and US security.
Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka said on Saturday that international partners have agreed on an economic support package of about 682 billion euros for Ukraine over the next 10 years.
The amount, based on World Bank, IMF and EU calculations, is intended to cover a 170 billion euro growth “boost” related to damages, reconstruction, economic stabilization and reforms needed for Ukraine’s EU membership.
Ukraine’s Economy Minister Oleksiy Sobolev said some of the funding would come from public subsidies and concessional loans. Details are expected to be finalized within the next two weeks.
On Saturday, President Zelenskiy offered Defense Minister Denis Shmyhal the post of energy minister and first deputy prime minister.
President Zelenskiy on Friday appointed Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, General Kirillo Budanov, as his new chief of staff. The president said Budanov’s appointment is part of efforts to increase focus on security, defense development and foreign affairs.
Additional sources of information • AP
