Kiev [Ukraine], November 30: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that his negotiators had left for Washington to seek a "dignified peace" and a rapid end to the war begun by Russia in 2022. The team is now led by former defence chief Rustem Umerov after last-minute changes amid a snowballing corruption scandal in Kiev.
The task is clear, Zelensky wrote on X - "to swiftly and substantively work out the steps needed to end the war." The team was expected to arrive in the United States on Saturday evening, Zelensky he said in his evening video message broadcast in Kiev.
Zelensky said it is "entirely realistic to finalize the steps in the coming days to determine how the war can be brought to a dignified end. The necessary steps must be worked out quickly and substantially. Following the resignation on Friday of his chief of staff Andriy Yermak amid a corruption probe, the president appointed Umerov, the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council and former defence minister, to head the delegation.
His country was talking to the US in the most constructive way possible, Zelensky said, stressing that "Ukraine is working for a dignified peace."
At Kiev's insistence, US President Donald Trump's 28-point plan was revised during talks in Geneva with European and US officials.
The negotiations were initially led by Zelensky's right-hand man Yermak, who resigned after his home was searched by corruption investigators.
Zelensky then issued a decree reorganizing the team.
At least three people have been killed and dozens injured as Russia again struck Ukraine with 36 missiles and almost 600 drones, Zelensky said. The main targets of the overnight attacks were energy infrastructure and civilian objects, the Ukrainian leader said.
Zelensky also spoke of massive damage and fires in residential buildings in Kiev and surrounding area and reiterated his call for Ukraine's allies to beef up its defences.
Source: Qatar Tribune
