In New York, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with heads and representatives of American think tanks.
Participants included John Walters, Luke Coffey, Robert Doar, Frederick Kempe, Jenna Ben-Yehuda, Shelby Magid, Geoffrey Pyatt, Paula Dobriansky, John Herbst, Andrew L. Peek, Evelyn Farkas, Cindy McCain, Kimberly Kagan, Frederick Kagan, Carrie Filipetti, James Jay Carafano, Michael Froman, Daniel Baer, Philip Luck, Alina Polyakova, Kurt Volker, Eileen Donahoe, and Joshua Rudolph. The discussion was moderated by Advisor to the President of Ukraine on Reconstruction and Investment Oksana Markarova.
The discussion focused primarily on the negotiation process to achieve peace, Ukraine’s preparations for winter, and what is needed to strengthen our air defense.
The Head of State noted that during his conversation with President Trump, he emphasized that if all sides genuinely want to end the war, they can find a way to hold negotiations. Ukraine is ready for substantive talks with the Russian side mediated by the United States.
“Even a meeting itself, a partial ceasefire, or an energy ceasefire – that is already de-escalation. The very fact of a trilateral meeting is already de-escalation. Perhaps it will lead to a prisoner exchange. These are already some of the steps,” the President noted.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said that Russia has begun attacking data centers in Ukraine that have no connection to Ukrainian warriors on the front lines. The Russians’ goal is to deprive civilians of internet access. Ukraine has information about planned Russian operations targeting its logistics, railways, internet, and mobile communications. This is happening in part because the battlefield situation for the Russians is worse than it was even two years ago.
According to the President, this is precisely why pressure on the aggressor is needed to force the Russian leader to the negotiating table. In particular, implementing the Lindsey Graham law could help achieve this.
The Head of State thanked the American experts for understanding the importance of supporting our country and what Ukrainians are fighting for in this war.
“It was a very useful conversation. It is important that everyone is closely following what is happening in Ukraine, how the negotiations are progressing, and what prospects we have. I’m grateful for the questions, your engagement, and your desire to help Ukraine, support our people, find the right path to ending the war, and guarantee security,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on social media.
