Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's chief of staff, said there was progress in the ceasefire negotiations with Russia and expressed “cautious optimism” about the possibility of a diplomatic breakthrough to end the war.
Volodymyr Zelensky and Andriy Yermak are pictured during the Ukrainian president's address to the U.S. Congress, from Kyiv, Ukraine. Photo: Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images
Before being appointed as the head of the presidential administration, he was Zelensky’s foreign policy adviser in charge of the Russia file.He talked about the ceasefire negotiations, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s mediation efforts and about working alongside the Ukrainian president in the month since Russia invaded Ukraine.Yermak said the talks with Russia were difficult at first, with the Russian officials speaking in ultimatums, but as the weeks passed, a real dialogue started.
“We have cautious optimism. The negotiations are ongoing and there are things we think we can agree on. The most important things for us are stopping the war, withdrawing all Russian forces and creating a new security framework for Ukraine," he added.
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