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KYIV: Ukraine is making progress in intensive talks to formalize legally binding security guarantees with the United States and European allies, a key part of its bid to end the war with Russia, First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhii Kyslytsia said.
A bilateral agreement with the United States remains vital, and US President Donald Trump’s recent commitment to participate in Ukraine’s defense was a “breakthrough moment,” Kyslytsia told Reuters in an interview.
“I think that we are making progress,” said Kyslytsia, a key negotiator with allies on security guarantees who also participated in all three rounds of direct talks with Russia in Istanbul earlier this year.
“I think this very intense period of exchange of views allows us to have a much better and concrete understanding of who is willing to do what and who is capable of doing what.”

UKRAINE HAS DISCUSSED TROOPS ON GROUND
Kyslytsia’s views reflect an increasingly pragmatic approach to diplomacy in Kyiv, which is not holding out for a quick fix to end the war either in the shape of punitive US sanctions against Moscow or a sudden collapse of the Russian economy. He said the vast majority of around 30 countries in the so-called “coalition of the willing” promising support for Ukraine had offered practical help, although details were still being thrashed out.
Ukrainian officials have said proposals under discussion as part of security guarantees include a strong, well-equipped Ukrainian army, foreign troops on the ground, finance for domestic and overseas weaponry and intelligence sharing.
The aim is to create a credible deterrent against future Russian aggression, although participating countries differ widely in what they are prepared to contribute and Kyslytsia said that more progress needs to be made.
He also had a stark warning for European allies: Russian President Vladimir Putin will not stop his military aggression at Ukraine’s border, and the time for bold action is now.
“If Europeans are serious about their security, they have to take difficult decisions.
“I think it’s the duty of European politicians to go to their constituents, and ... explain to every household ... why their well-being depends on the ability of Ukraine to defend itself and to defend the entire continent.”

US LOGISTICAL, AIR SUPPORT, INTELLIGENCE REMAIN VITAL
He called the Europeans Kyiv’s “best friends,” but said cooperation with the United States was key because it provided logistical and air support as well as intelligence that would be crucial to Ukraine’s long-term security.
Kyslytsia said there was still a decision to be made on whether Kyiv would have a set of bilateral treaties with its European allies or a multilateral agreement among several countries.
Whatever the format, future guarantees should be legally binding and adopted by national parliaments.
After more than three-and-a-half years of war, polls show increasing exhaustion in Ukraine and support for a potential ceasefire, but there remains overwhelming opposition to Russian demands to give up occupied land and to cede yet more territory.
Ukraine’s intense diplomatic push is occurring as its forces face increasing pressure in the east and south, where the Russian military is advancing slowly but steadily and threatening a series of strategic garrison towns. Outmanned on the battlefield, Ukraine has intensified its attacks on Russia’s oil refineries and energy infrastructure using long-range drones capable of flying more than 1,000 miles.
It remains Ukraine’s single most effective way of inflicting significant damage on the Russian economy.
“I think we will continue to do that as long as Russia is not showing any meaningful signs of readiness to sit down and negotiate,” Kyslytsia said.
“I don’t believe that Russia will collapse economically in the foreseeable future, but I think that the pain for the regime should increase.”

BERLIN: A conservative party in Germany’s governing coalition said Friday it would temporarily block aid promised to the Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank over concerns the cash could be used against Israel.
Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan of the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) had pledged 30 million euros ($35 million) for the Palestinian Authority after a trip to the region last month.
But Alexander Hoffmann, parliamentary leader of the conservative CSU party, told the Bild newspaper the party wanted further “clarification.”
Hoffmann’s spokesman confirmed to AFP his comments that “humanitarian help is important, but it must be clear which concrete projects the money will be used for before the funds are approved.”
“Projects that endanger Israel’s security must be excluded.”
German government sources said the money would be used to pay the salaries of health care and education workers and be disbursed under an EU-run mechanism.
The CSU is the Bavarian counterpart to Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s CDU and has been among Israel’s staunchest supporters in Germany, while the SPD has been somewhat more critical.
Sources within the coalition confirmed to AFP that the CSU was holding up approval of the money in parliament.
Merz’s spokesman Sebastian Hille said the government had “a common position” on the issue but had to wait for parliamentary approval.
He said he was confident that “the question can be sorted out between the coalition’s MPs.”
A development ministry spokeswoman underlined that the funds were intended to ease the dire financial situation the Palestinian Authority has been in since Israel stopped transferring revenues from taxes on goods destined for Authority-controlled areas.
“Public services such as health care have been seriously restricted and the school year hasn’t started on time,” she said.