Ukrainian, US officials discuss steps toward lasting peace

In Munich, Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office Andriy Yermak met with U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg, the Office of the President of Ukraine said in a press release.

The main topic of discussion was coordinating efforts to achieve a lasting peace.

“Putin never plays by the rules. Don’t let yourself be deceived. The Russians have always ridiculed the West, yet they have always copied it. Their current ‘pivot to the East’ is not a deep cultural shift but a tactical move to achieve their goals. Russians respect only strength and despise those who fail to use it. Russia stops not when it makes promises but when it is forced to stop,” Yermak said.

According to the Presidential office, a key focus of the meeting was continued support for Ukraine. Andriy Yermak stressed that helping Ukraine now is far less costly than confronting a stronger Russia later. 

Andriy Yermak and Keith Kellogg also discussed preparations for upcoming high-level meetings and the U.S. Special Envoy’s planned visit to Ukraine.