U.S. confirms talks with Ukraine on security guarantees will kick off this week

U.S. Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller said this at a press briefing in Washington on Monday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Those talks are going to kick off this week," he said, adding that the discussions at the current stage will take place virtually.

Miller recalled that during the NATO summit in Vilnius last month, the G7 countries undertook to conduct bilateral negotiations with the Government of Ukraine about long-term commitments to Ukraine's security so that it can create a military that can defend the country and deter a future attack, rebuild its economy, protect its citizens and pursue integration into the Euro-Atlantic community. Miller said that this was separate and apart from the assistance that the United States regularly provides to Ukraine.

He also noted that Washington sees this process proceeding on two tracks. "One is security assistance to support their efforts to repel Russian aggression, and two is to create a long-term military that can serve as a deterrent effect from future Russian aggression," Miller said.

Andriy Yermak, the head of President Volodymyr Zelensky's office, earlier said that Ukraine was ready to start consultations with the United States this week on providing security guarantees for Ukraine.