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US Says Talks With Kyiv and Moscow Aim for Lasting Peace With Strong Security Guarantees
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
The Trump administration is holding talks with Kyiv and Moscow aimed at achieving a lasting peace based on reliable security guarantees that would ensure a strong Ukraine and a strong Europe, US Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Daniel Zimmerman said during a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee, Pentagon reported on March 18.
Zimmerman said allies must urgently provide Ukraine with the resources needed for deterrence and defense. According to him, more than 20 European countries have already allocated over $4 billion for the PURL initiative.
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“Russia still retains deep reservoirs of military and industrial power and the national resolve to sustain protracted war. Moreover, Russia has the world's largest nuclear arsenal and invests in capabilities, which could be used coercively just short of nuclear confrontation,” Zimmerman said.
He added that the United States remains committed to NATO, but warned that the balance of contributions among allies must be maintained.
“The US stands with NATO, but if burden sharing becomes misaligned or thinly spread, this is not healthy for an alliance, and we want NATO to be as strong as it can be for the long term,” he said.
At the same hearing, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe and head of US European Command, General Alexus Grynkewich, told lawmakers that growing cooperation between Russia, North Korea, Iran, and China has increased military risks across multiple regions and domains.
He noted that North Korean troops and weapons, Iranian drone technology, and economic support from China are helping Russia sustain its war against Ukraine.
“Despite significant losses in Ukraine, Russia retains the capability and the capacity to threaten US interests with its large and increasingly diverse nuclear stockpile, asymmetric capabilities and competent ground, air and maritime forces,” Grynkewich said.
At the same time, Kyiv says the trilateral negotiations mentioned by US officials are not moving forward as planned. Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said talks involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia are currently on hold, as Washington’s attention is focused on developments in the Middle East.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said the consultations had been postponed several times but stressed that the negotiations have not been canceled.
According to him, the delay is not linked to any political disagreements but to the fact that US officials are currently dealing with other urgent issues.
“Despite the pause in formal meetings, the teams from each side continue to communicate with one another on a daily basis,” Tykhyi said.
Tykhyi also noted that Russia has so far shown no real readiness to take part in serious diplomatic efforts.
In addition, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a meeting with US representatives has been postponed as partners are focused on the situation surrounding Iran.
According to Zelenskyy, trilateral negotiations involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia are expected to resume after nearly a month-long pause. The delegations had tentatively planned to meet on March 11 in Istanbul, Turkey.
He added that Ukraine remains ready for talks “at any moment in the format that can help and that will be realistic from the point of view of ending the war,” adding that Kyiv is “effectively” in contact with the US side “24/7.”
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