High-level Ukrainian officials are scheduled to meet with representatives from the United States in New York on Friday, August 29, 2025, to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine. The delegation includes Andriy Yermak, Chief of Staff to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Rustem Umerov, former Defense Minister. The agenda focuses on establishing robust security arrangements, encompassing military, political, and economic aspects, in the context of a potential ceasefire with Russia.
This diplomatic engagement follows a series of international discussions. Yermak and Umerov recently met with Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud and National Security Advisor Musaed Bin Mohammed Al-Aiban in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to explore peace pathways and Saudi Arabia's role. Prior to this, they also visited Qatar and Switzerland, underscoring Ukraine's commitment to engaging multiple international partners in its pursuit of lasting peace and stability.
The discussions are set against the backdrop of evolving European security architecture. France and the United Kingdom are leading an initiative for a European peacekeeping mission, proposing a force of up to 30,000 troops, potentially increasing to 50,000 under the Joint Expeditionary Force framework. This initiative aims to provide security and deter future aggression, contingent on a ceasefire agreement and U.S. backing. The U.S. has indicated openness to providing intelligence, surveillance, and air defense capabilities to support such a European-led effort, though direct U.S. troop deployment is unlikely.
Europe's commitment to bolstering its defense capabilities is also evident in its pledge to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, aiming to enhance the continent's defense industrial base and strategic autonomy. President Zelenskyy has emphasized the critical role of the United States in shaping Ukraine's security architecture, highlighting the urgency of these negotiations. The ongoing diplomatic efforts reflect a unified global interest in achieving a stable and secure future for Ukraine, with key players like the U.S., Saudi Arabia, France, and the UK actively participating in shaping the path forward.
The discussions are also expected to address strategies to increase international pressure on Russia and examine the complexities of international law concerning potential troop deployments.