On March 11, a meeting between representatives of Ukraine and the United States took place in Saudi Arabia. After almost 8 hours of negotiations, the parties issued a joint statement, which recorded several important decisions. In particular, Ukraine expressed its readiness to accept the US proposal for the immediate introduction of a 30-day ceasefire, which can be extended by mutual consent of the parties, provided that it is accepted and simultaneously implemented by the Russian Federation. For its part, the United States lifted the pause in the exchange of intelligence and resumed security assistance to Ukraine. No less importantthem was the inclusion of a clause on the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilians held by the Russian Federation, and the return of forcibly displaced Ukrainian children.
Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva told in interview with Ukrinform I am convinced that Ukraine and the United States have taken the first step towards peace, now the ball is in Russia's court.
Ukrinform, in a conversation with Mr. Zhovkva, summed up уyesterday's meeting in Jeddah, and also asked about the details of the implementation of the possible ceasefire, the role of European countries in further meetings, as well as the return of Ukrainians from Russian captivity.
THE RESULTS OF THE MEETING SATISFY BOTH UKRAINE AND THE USA
— I suggest we start the discussion by asking how you would characterize yesterday's meeting between the delegations of Ukraine and the United States?
— Today, Ukraine and the United States adhere to a common position. That is, the tension has been relieved, yesterday's meeting was friendly. Two partners really talked, very constructive negotiators from the American side - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US President's National Security Advisor Michael Walz and the team that supported these two negotiators. So yes, almost 8 hours of the meeting were not difficult, but constructive. We have an appropriate joint result, which satisfies both sides today.
— One of the decisions in Jeddah involves a 30-day ceasefire. Why was this period chosen?
— This period is explained very simply: it is during these 30 days that it will be possible to check to what extent the Russian Federation will be conscious and will not violate the ceasefire (if it agrees to it at all and if the ceasefire starts working). This is the so-called "test period" when all parties must be committed to the relevant agreement.
The negotiating position of 30 days was adopted by the Ukrainian side in advance. The idea is that in these 30 days we will see Russia's desire - if it exists at all - and its readiness to adhere to the ceasefire. After all, the bitter experience of previous agreements in several formats, in particular, the Normandy, Minsk and dozens of other ceasefires, has shown that none of them lasted, it seems, more than two weeks.
So we'll see how well all this works. And then, as stated in yesterday's statement, the ceasefire can either be extended by mutual consent, or the parties move on to the next stages.
RUSSIA'S REFUSAL TO THE ARMISTICE WILL NOT MEAN THE FAILURE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS
— Mr. Igor, if Russia refuses to sign a 30-day ceasefire, will this mean the failure of the negotiations?
— No, it won't mean that. Yesterday, the two negotiating delegations consciously went to this agreement, understanding that today, after our negotiations yesterday, everything really depends on the Russian Federation. That is, now the ball is in Russia's court. Now they have to show their readiness for peace. There was speculation that the Ukrainian side was not ready for peace, but yesterday our side showed that it was ready for peace and for a ceasefire as its first stage.
Now it's up to the Russian side. We are already hearing the first official reactions from certain officials in that country, but it is worth waiting for a reaction from one person (Russian President Vladimir Putin, — Ed.). And there will be a conversation with this person on the American side by the end of the week, as far as I understand.
If Russia refuses – and this could happen – it will show the whole world, both the American side and the Ukrainian side, its true nature.
IN CASE RUSSIA REFUSES TO CRUISE, UKRAINE AND THE USA WILL CHANGE THEIR STRATEGY
— What will Ukraine do in such a case?
Today, it is extremely important to note that the Ukrainian and American sides are working together to develop the following tactics and strategy.
— We will coordinate positions with the American side. Now it is very important that the US immediately lifted the pause on military assistance and the exchange of intelligence information. Everything is already a step that has been taken.
Therefore, if the Russian side is not ready for peace, it means that Ukraine and the US will continue to coordinate their positions - perhaps changing tactics, perhaps making some other moves.
Today it is extremely important to note that the Ukrainian and American sides are working together to develop the next tactics and strategy. And the statement said that in the near future the relevant delegations will be formed by the two sides. They will also talk about the technical aspects of a possible ceasefire. Unfortunately, I cannot disclose the details now. But if it does not happen, then we will talk about other aspects and changes in our common position.
THE TRUMPEUSE PROPOSED BY THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION APPLIES TO BOTH THE FRONT AND THE REAR
— Does the ceasefire apply only to the front or does it include a reduction in shelling of Ukraine's rear?
— This is about the so-called complete ceasefire. First of all, it is about stopping aerial attacks with any type of weapon – whether ballistic and cruise missiles, guided aerial bombs, or UAVs, including long-range drones. That is, the first aspect is a complete ceasefire in the air.
The second important aspect is a ceasefire at sea. It is about fully ensuring that the existing transport routes continue to operate. We see that there was a corresponding shelling just yesterday, so today, unfortunately, we can state that shipping is full of danger, in that part of the Black Sea where Ukrainian and not only Ukrainian ships sail.
Also yesterday, a ceasefire was agreed on land, including the contact line. That is, it is a comprehensive ceasefire.
A SERIOUS CONVERSATION ABOUT PEACE IS NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF UKRAINIANS RETURNED FROM RUSSIAN CAPTIVES
— An important point of the statement is the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of detained civilians, and the return of forcibly displaced Ukrainian children. Can you вand share the details of the plans – how many people are ready to exchange/return, and within what timeframe will these actions be implemented?
— It is very important that one of the results of the possible ceasefire, along with the lifting of the pause in the supply of weapons and intelligence information from the US, is that the ceasefire process includes the exchange of prisoners of war, the return of Ukrainian civilians and Ukrainian children. This is what is called confidence-building measures in diplomacy. So, we will see how much the Russian side is ready to talk about a serious number of exchanges, because the exchanges are now taking place regularly. At the same time, in very small numbers, but Ukrainian children are returning. Of course, we would like these numbers to increase significantly. Specific figures were discussed during the meeting, but we cannot disclose them publicly yet.
For our part, we emphasized to the American side yesterday that this is an extremely important component of a possible ceasefire and is a real means of strengthening trust. If this does not happen, if the Russian side does not undertake a serious number of exchanges, the return of civilians and Ukrainian children, then this means that it is not ready for a serious conversation about peace. Let's hope that there will also be constructiveness here.
UKRAINE IS READY TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT ON NADRA AT ANY TIME
— During the negotiations, the need to conclude an agreement on subsoil was also discussed. Is the document ready for signing? If so, when is it likely to happen?
— We really discussed this issue. You know that a framework agreement is ready, the text of which was approved by the Ukrainian government on February 26, also identifying the authorized representatives of the Ukrainian side to sign the document - either the First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko, or the Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiga.
Ukraine does not withdraw this offer and is ready to sign a framework agreement at any time. We understand that the next stage is the big, final agreement on the creation of the relevant fund (the Reconstruction Investment Fund, – Ed.). The teams will still have to work on this text, but we agreed that this work will be carried out quite actively. Ukraine is certainly ready to sign the framework agreement.
THE US DID NOT OBJECT TO THE ITEM IN THE STATEMENT ABOUT THE INVOLVEMENT OF EUROPEAN PARTNERS IN THE PEACE PROCESS
— This time, there were no EU representatives in the delegations at the talks in Jeddah. The joint statement states that Europe must be at the negotiating table. And what, in your opinion, there should be a further format for peace talks and Which countries should join it?
— This is a clear position of the Ukrainian side, and it has not changed during this time: at the negotiating table, along with the American delegation, the delegations of Ukraine and the Russian Federation, there should be a delegation from, let's say, Europe - after all, we are talking about all the countries of the European continent, not just the members of the European Union. At the suggestion of the Ukrainian side, this provision was added to the joint statement, the American side did not object.
As for the question of who exactly will be there, we are talking quite intensively with our European partners. Last night, each of us at our own level – both the head of the Office, Andriy Yermak, and I – informed our key European partners, such as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, about the results of the negotiations. Relevant coordination meetings will be held this week.
It's hard to say who will be the representative from Europe right now. I think this should be a decision made by the European countries themselves for Ukraine, so we'll be talking about it in the coming days.
A TRUMP IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS PEACE
— Is there any understanding yet when the next meetings for work will take place? of peacemaking? What should the next steps look like during these negotiations?
— I would like to emphasize that we are still talking about meetings - these are not negotiations, because negotiations require clear legal procedures, an official delegation must be formed; if negotiations are on behalf of Ukraine, there must be clear directives for the delegation.
There was a meeting yesterday, it went quite well. I think that in the near future, as stated in the statement, delegations will be formed for the technical aspects of the ceasefire, if it happens. And of course, we will see how it works in general, how long it will last.
The ceasefire is the first stage. Provided that it works, if the Russian side does not violate it, then we move on to the next stages. And then it is obviously about the negotiations that you are asking about.
For our part, we do not stop contacts with the American side literally for a single day. There are working contacts of the Head of the Office, so we will act accordingly.
— Representatives of the US and Russia are to meet to discuss a ceasefire. What are the expectations from this meeting in Ukrainian diplomacy?
We need to hear a clear position from the Russian Federation – whether it is ready or not.
— We did not discuss this with the American side yesterday, but the expectations are appropriate: a joint step has been taken between the US and Ukraine, a complete ceasefire has been proposed, and we need to hear a clear position from the Russian Federation - whether it is ready or not.
The American side has taken on the mission of obtaining this position from Russia. Therefore, appropriate meetings will be held. At the same time, from official reports, we see that US President Donald Trump is ready to talk to Putin by the end of this week. There is not much time. We must understand – either yes or no. Therefore, the American side, having taken on such a mission, will carry out this work.
Had a conversation Svitlana Tkachuk, Ukrinform
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