Ukraine’s chief negotiator describes how peace talks are progressing

Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Office of the President of Ukraine, has said that Ukraine is a direct participant in talks on ending the Russo-Ukrainian war and that there is real progress, although it is still too early to speak of a swift peace deal.

Source: Ukrinform, a Ukrainian news agency, citing Budanov during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos

Quote: "We are moving forward. I cannot say that we will definitely have peace tomorrow. If anyone promises that, it is not true. But we are making enormous efforts to achieve it."

Details: Budanov said both Ukraine and the United States are making efforts to find a way to end the war.

Quote: "Whether people like it or not, there is movement and it is real. We are genuinely making progress."

More details: Budanov added that the success of talks will largely depend on the position of the Russian Federation.

Quote: "You understand who we are dealing with."

More details: Budanov stressed that Ukraine is directly involved in the negotiations, so it would be incorrect to say that "Ukraine must have a place at the negotiating table".

Quote: "We are part of the negotiating process, so please understand that clearly. Thank God, this process is not happening without us."

More details: Budanov also thanked the United States, European countries and Canada for years of support for Ukraine and stressed that it remains critically important now.

Speaking about key conditions for a future peace, he said that Ukraine needs a just peace, security guarantees and a clear reconstruction plan. He added that "infighting at home will not help".

Quote: "We are joining forces, mobilising and we will see this through to the end. We need a just peace, absolutely. We need security guarantees. We need a plan to rebuild and restore Ukraine. But infighting at home will not help."

Previously: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier that he does not believe that the talks between the Ukrainian and US teams, which took place in Florida last weekend, have reached a dead end.

Background:

• A Ukrainian delegation consisting of Rustem Umierov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council (NSDC), Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the President's Office, and Davyd Arakhamiia, leader of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction, arrived in the United States for a meeting with the US negotiation team on 17 January.
• The purpose of the Ukrainian team's visit to Florida is reportedly to finalise arrangements with the US on security guarantees and Ukraine's economic prosperity.
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the primary task of the Ukrainian delegation visiting the United States was to provide a full and accurate picture of events and the damage caused by Russian strikes.

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