All posts tagged: Rustem Umerov

Zelenskyy’s top negotiator flies to Berlin for talks with Germany, France, UK – POLITICO

Zelenskyy’s top negotiator flies to Berlin for talks with Germany, France, UK – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

The diplomatic engagement comes at a crucial moment after Russia executed a massive attack on Kyiv over the weekend and threatened further “consistent and systemic strikes.” The Russian foreign ministry urged diplomats and foreign citizens to leave the city “as soon as possible,” while the EU’s ambassador to Ukraine rejected the demand, saying, “We stay in Kyiv. We stay with Ukraine.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated Friday that America would backtrack from Ukraine peace talks it was leading, saying they “were not fruitful, unfortunately” and adding, “If someone else would like to handle it, they should.” European officials have in recent weeks discussed whether to reach out directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin for negotiations, with names such as former German Chancellor Angela Merkel being floated for the role — although she said she wouldn’t be the right person. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told German daily Welt earlier this month that the E3 group was “making a fresh attempt to re-enter negotiations — with Europe playing a greater role in the coming …

Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi ‘constructive,’ Zelenskyy says – POLITICO

Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi ‘constructive,’ Zelenskyy says – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

“Provided there is readiness to move forward — and Ukraine is ready — further meetings will take place, potentially as early as next week,” Zelenskyy said. The talks brought together senior military and intelligence officials from all three sides. Ukraine’s delegation included Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov; Russia was represented by members of its armed forces and military intelligence; and the U.S. delegation included President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and senior White House advisers. Zelenskyy said the U.S. side raised possible formats for formalizing any future settlement, as well as the need for American monitoring and oversight of a potential ceasefire or peace process. He said the military representatives had identified issues for a potential follow-up meeting. Russia’s TASS news agency also reported that the talks produced results and could continue in the coming days. The diplomatic efforts unfolded against the backdrop of Moscow’s largest aerial assault on Ukraine so far this year. Ukrainian officials said hundreds of drones and missiles struck Kyiv, Kharkiv and other cities …

Russia unleashes ‘brutal’ strike on Ukraine as peace talks continue – POLITICO

Russia unleashes ‘brutal’ strike on Ukraine as peace talks continue – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

The Russian strikes hit Kyiv and Kharkiv hardest, Sybiha said, with dozens of ballistic and air-launched missiles and hundreds of drones used. He said Moscow again targeted energy infrastructure and residential areas, calling the assault further evidence that the Kremlin is waging “a genocidal war against civilian people.” Ukraine’s air force said Russia fired more than 370 drones and 21 missiles overnight, while other estimates put the total number of aerial weapons at nearly 400, including hypersonic, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. Vitaliy Zaichenko, CEO of UkrEnergo, the state energy company, told local media that 80 percent of Ukraine will face emergency power outages on Saturday. Explosions were reported shortly after delegations from Kyiv, Moscow and Washington wrapped up the first round of negotiations in Abu Dhabi. The discussions in Abu Dhabi are expected to continue on Saturday. The talks brought together senior military and intelligence officials from Russia, top diplomats and security officials from Ukraine, and a U.S. delegation that includes President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, his son-in-law Jared Kushner and White House …

Ukraine is discussing trade deal with US, Zelenskyy says – POLITICO

Ukraine is discussing trade deal with US, Zelenskyy says – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Prospects of a trade deal come as all sides start to consider more seriously how to end the war in Ukraine and how to ensure peace in the future. Europe and the U.S. presented a detailed plan for Ukraine in Paris earlier this week, including security guarantees with American backing and a promise to deploy British and French troops after a ceasefire.  But Washington did not sign on to join a multinational force for Ukraine, raising concerns about its level of commitment. The offer of a free-trade deal could act as an additional incentive for the U.S. to remain committed to protecting Ukraine after the end of the war. Zelenskyy said in the Bloomberg interview that he wants specific commitments from Washington. “I don’t want everything to end up in them merely promising to react,” he said. “I really want something more concrete.” Zelenskyy said his negotiator, Rustem Umerov, had a call on Friday with Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and that U.S. representatives have been in contact with Russia recently in …

Zelenskyy plans to remove another top spy — SBU’s Malyuk – POLITICO

Zelenskyy plans to remove another top spy — SBU’s Malyuk – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

“There are attempts to remove Malyuk, but nothing has been decided yet,” a Ukrainian official told POLITICO on Saturday. “Talks are still going on. But if Malyuk is out of SBU, this will seriously weaken Ukraine’s ability to protect itself,” added the official, who was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. “Malyuk is in his place, and the results of the security service prove it. It was he who turned the SBU into an effective special service that conducts unique special operations and gives Ukraine strong ‘cards’ at the negotiating table,” the official said. Enigmatic Malyuk, 42, has been managing the SBU since 2023. Since he was officially appointed by the parliament, he has overseen some of the agency’s high-profile assassinations and most daring special operations inside Russia, like the 2025 operation “Spiderweb” in which Ukrainian drones hit Russia’s strategic bombers on several protected airfields, causing $7 billion in damage to Russian military aviation. Neither Malyuk nor Zelenskyy responded to requests for comment. The SBU press service and the president’s office refused to comment. Holos …

Trump team floats Ukraine-Russia-US talks in Miami, Zelenskyy says – POLITICO

Trump team floats Ukraine-Russia-US talks in Miami, Zelenskyy says – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Zelenskyy hailed the decision by EU leaders this week to raise €90 billion, backed by the EU budget, to bolster Kyiv’s war chest, calling the move “a major, tangible, and important victory, and not only financially.” “The allocation of €90 billion by Europe, which in any case is linked to Russian assets, is an unprecedented decision, and it will also have an impact on the peace negotiations. Ukraine will be in a stronger position,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X. “The funds are earmarked for 2026-2027, and we are counting on using all 210 billion of the Russian assets. We understand that the interest-free loans — 90 billion — will only be repaid by Ukraine if Russia pays reparations to Ukraine,” he said. The U.S. is currently pushing a proposal that would likely require Ukraine to give up parts of its territory, a sticking point that Ukrainians are reluctant to accept. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that “there’s no peace deal unless Ukraine agrees to it,” adding that he may …