Ukrainian and US teams set for talks Jan 17
The delegations are expected to fine-tune plans on security guarantees and steps to support Ukraine’s long-term economic stability.
Ukrainian and United States officials are set to hold another round of high-level negotiations on Saturday, January 17, as Kyiv continues efforts to secure long-term security guarantees and economic support amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The talks will take place in Miami, Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Olga Stefanishyna announced on Friday. In a post on social media, she said the upcoming discussions are expected to focus on refining agreements related to Ukraine’s security framework and its future economic prosperity. These agreements, she added, could be formally signed during the World Economic Forum in Davos next week.
According to Stefanishyna, both sides are working to finalise the key elements of cooperation that would help stabilise Ukraine in the long term. The negotiations come at a critical moment, as Kyiv pushes for stronger assurances from its partners while continuing to defend itself against Russian military actions.
The Ukrainian delegation will include several senior officials, reflecting the importance Kyiv places on the talks. Among those attending are Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council; Kyrylo Budanov, chief of the Presidential Office; and David Arakhamia, chairman of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction. The presence of both security and political leaders suggests that the discussions will address not only military concerns but also governance and economic recovery.
This will be the latest in a series of negotiations between Ukrainian and US officials. The previous round of talks took place last month, laying groundwork for the agreements now expected to be refined. Since then, both sides have continued to signal a shared interest in deepening cooperation, particularly in the areas of defense, reconstruction, and long-term stability.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky underlined the urgency of these efforts during a press conference on Friday. He said Ukraine needs permanent and reliable security guarantees to prevent future aggression and to give its citizens confidence in the country’s future. According to Zelensky, Ukrainian and US officials will soon engage in detailed discussions not only on security guarantees but also on a broader recovery package aimed at rebuilding the war-torn nation.
Zelensky noted that the potential signing of these agreements at the World Economic Forum in Davos would send a strong signal of international support for Ukraine. He stressed that such commitments are vital as the country continues to balance immediate defense needs with long-term economic planning.
A major concern highlighted by Zelensky remains Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. He emphasised that a steady and uninterrupted supply of missiles is essential to protect cities and critical infrastructure from ongoing attacks. Zelensky revealed that until Friday, several air defense systems in Ukraine had been left without missiles, exposing vulnerabilities in the country’s defenses. However, he said a new missile package was delivered earlier in the day, helping to restore operational readiness.
While Ukraine seeks stronger backing from the West, Russia has also commented on the evolving diplomatic landscape. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Moscow values and welcomes efforts by the United States to move the resolution of the Ukraine conflict toward a political and diplomatic path.
He added that peace cannot be achieved through inaction and requires reciprocal efforts from all involved parties.
Peskov stressed that dialogue remains central to security, saying Russia is engaged in such discussions with the United States and appreciates Washington’s role in this regard. At the same time, he noted that while Moscow maintains dialogue with the US, it currently has no similar talks underway with European countries.
The upcoming negotiations in Miami, followed by the potential signing of agreements in Davos, highlight the complex diplomatic balancing act surrounding the Ukraine conflict. For Kyiv, the talks represent a chance to secure concrete commitments that could shape its security and economic future. For Washington, they are part of a broader effort to support Ukraine while also exploring diplomatic pathways that could eventually lead to a resolution.
As all sides prepare for the next round of discussions, expectations remain high that the talks could mark an important step toward clearer security arrangements and a framework for Ukraine’s recovery, even as fighting continues on the ground.