Zelenskyy's top aide announces Ukrainian delegation heading to Washington

A Ukrainian delegation, led by Prime Minister Yuliya Sviridenko and accompanied by Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, is en route to Washington, according to Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President, on Telegram.

Yermak outlined that the Ukrainian team will focus on three major areas during their discussions in the United States, as per Ukrainian media reports.

Firstly, the delegation will address defence matters, including strengthening Ukraine’s air defence systems and enhancing “strike capabilities.”

Secondly, energy security will be a central topic, with particular attention to Ukraine’s preparations for the upcoming winter season.

The third focus of the talks will be sanctions policy against Russia, including the formulation of new measures to increase pressure on Moscow.

Yermak stressed, “The ultimate goal is unchanged — to achieve a sustainable and just peace for Ukraine by compelling Russia to end the war.”

Earlier, Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States, Olga Stefanyshina, noted that the visit coincides with the start of the annual IMF and World Bank financial week in Washington, which will be attended by the Ukrainian delegation.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously confirmed the delegation’s visit, highlighting key topics such as air defence, energy security, sanctions measures, the negotiation track, and discussions on frozen Ukrainian assets held in the US.

Zelenskyy added, “We are grateful to the US and President Donald Trump. Our cooperation with the United States continues. The team led by Prime Minister Sviridenko, together with Andriy Yermak and my sanctions policy representative Vladislav Vlasiuk, will be in the United States at the start of next week.”

By Tamilla Hasanova