The Ukrainian delegation’s Washington visit opens with high-level talks
The Ukrainian delegation, led by First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko, began its Washington itinerary with a briefing through the Ukrainian Presidential Office on its Telegram channel. The early discussions set the tone for a sequence of strategic talks in the capital, focusing on security assistance and military readiness.
The first official engagement featured a meeting with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. In parallel, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustam Umerov, accompanied by the head of the Ukrainian president’s office, Andriy Ermak, met with the Pentagon chief to review the situation on the front lines and outline the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The exchange emphasized ongoing collaboration and the importance of continued support for Ukraine’s defense efforts.
Reports from the previous day indicated that Ermak and Umerov were preparing to meet senior White House aides to discuss potential policy steps. The discussions centered on refining security assistance and exploring how long-range weapons could be integrated into Ukraine’s strategic operations. The goal was to align on practical steps that could influence the course of the conflict on the ground.
Sources familiar with the planning noted that Kyiv aims to present Washington with a prioritized list of targets. The intent is to identify essential objectives that would be difficult to offset in the near term and would shape military operations moving forward.
In a related development, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry claimed that Washington was prepared to grant Kyiv broad latitude to use Western weapons against Russian territory. The remarks underscored the ongoing tension and the high stakes surrounding Western military support for Ukraine. Earlier comments from British officials echoed concerns that Western actions could limit Ukrainian options or impose new constraints on its operations.
The overall tone of the exchanges in Washington reveals a shared interest in strengthening Ukraine’s defense posture while navigating the political and strategic complexities of international support. The discussions are part of a broader effort to ensure that military aid translates into tangible gains on the front lines, supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and regional security interests.