Ukraine, Russia peace talks “not around the corner” - U.S. State Department

This is how Karen Donfried, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, who responded to an Ukrinform correspondent’s questions on Wednesday.

"I thought his comment (President Joe Biden’s comment to the NYT - ed.) about diplomacy that would end the war, which is really important – he quoted actually President Zelensky who said ultimately this war will only definitively end through diplomacy," Donfried said when asked to clarify the U.S. position on ways to end the war in Ukraine.

She stressed that President Biden has made it clear that the United States is doing everything in its power to strengthen Ukraine's position as much as possible before it gets to the negotiating table.

"I think that negotiating table, unfortunately, is not around the corner," said a spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department. In this context, she noted that there is “no evidence today that Russia wants to engage in good faith negotiations.”

Donfried also reaffirmed the position on avoiding discussions of the Ukraine issue without Ukraine at the table.

“We support Ukraine’s right to be free, democratic, and independent Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. We remain committed to defending Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the official stressed.

She recalled that since February this year, the United States has provided $6.3 billion to Ukraine in defense, humanitarian, and economic assistance, adding that such assistance will continue to be provided for the sake of Ukraine’s fight for democracy and freedom.

“Ukraine’s fight is our fight. It is the fight of all of us for democracy and freedom. Thus we will stay the course together with the people of Ukraine because we understand that freedom is not free,” Donfried noted.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, last week CNN said that U.S., British, and European officials were discussing ways to achieve a ceasefire and end Russia's war against Ukraine. It was noted that during these discussions, the issue of talks was on the table. Such meetings are held amid concerns that the war could reach a stalemate and drag on for years.

Meanwhile, the U.S. administration continues to assure Ukraine that it will make every effort to help Ukraine achieve a strong position in fighting off Russian armed aggression, as well as at the negotiating table.