Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak met with Ukrainian and foreign journalists. The event was also attended by Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva.
The key topic was the discussion of strategic security issues, including the elaboration of conditions for Ukraine's accession to NATO with international partners, interim security guarantees, military, technical and humanitarian support for our country, and other issues.
According to Andriy Yermak, Ukraine expects a clear signal from the Alliance in support of its membership at the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius. At the same time, the Head of the Presidential Office emphasized the importance of providing our country with effective security guarantees for the entire period preceding its full integration into the Alliance.
"We see an opportunity to make these guarantees real, and they should be in place before Ukraine joins NATO. We also want to receive a political signal that will clearly establish Ukraine's future in NATO today, and there will be no turning back. It will only be a matter of time," emphasized Andriy Yermak.
He added that Ukraine is making every effort, working individually with each country and finding appropriate arguments to dispel any doubts about the fact that our country has no alternative to joining the Alliance.
Further increasing economic pressure on Russia was also an important topic of discussion. According to Andriy Yermak, the Sanctions Plan 2.0 recently presented by the McFaul-Yermak Group provides for a set of measures that will increase the influence on the aggressor country and reduce its military potential. In this context, it primarily involves the G7 countries.
The Head of the President's Office also expressed hope for continued dialogue with the countries of the Global South and their involvement in the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula proposed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The parties also discussed the implementation of the grain deal.
Special attention was paid to the work of the authorities to release Ukrainians in captivity.
"The most important value for us is and will always be the life and health of every person. We adhere to this unwavering principle, repeatedly voiced by President Zelenskyy, in all key issues. In particular, when planning our counteroffensive, in the process of returning our prisoners of war, and in the implementation of the humanitarian food program for the countries suffering from hunger," the Head of the Presidential Office emphasized.