Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, held a phone call with Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, Brian Mast.
The parties discussed the outcomes of the Ukrainian delegation’s visit to Washington in early June and the meeting with the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
The central topic of the conversation was the U.S. defense support for Ukraine and the needs of the Ukrainian army, particularly given the recent reports regarding potential changes in the volume of military aid.
The Head of the Presidential Office emphasized the critical importance of air defense systems for protecting Ukraine, especially considering the escalation of Russian attacks.
“Russia continues to escalate its aggression, especially in the air. Under such conditions, air defense systems are vital for protecting civilians and critical infrastructure. The President of Ukraine has repeatedly stressed that we are ready to procure additional air defense systems from the U.S. to strengthen our protection,” Andriy Yermak noted.
The interlocutors discussed the outcomes of the recent NATO summit in The Hague and the results of the meeting between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump. Andriy Yermak highlighted the alignment of the Heads of State’s stances regarding the need to protect civilian lives amid Russian aggression.
Special attention was given to the situation in the Middle East, including President Trump’s personal peace efforts and America’s role in addressing the dangerous situation with Iran. The Head of the Presidential Office noted that Donald Trump’s “peace through strength” principle has proven effective and could also be applied to achieving peace in Ukraine.
Andriy Yermak and Brian Mast also touched upon the current state of the negotiation process with the Russian side. The Head of the Presidential Office noted that no significant progress in negotiations has been observed so far. Russia continues to delay the process.
It was emphasized that defense budgets of nearly all countries, especially European ones, have increased significantly, indicating a growing awareness of security threats.
Brian Mast reaffirmed the U.S. Congress’s unwavering support for Ukraine and readiness to continue cooperation in defense assistance.
Following the conversation, the parties agreed to maintain ongoing dialogue and close coordination on defense aid to Ukraine and legislative initiatives aimed at strengthening security and stability.