The United States sent a representative to Ukraine. on 5 September, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak met with a delegation from the United States led by First Deputy National Security Advisor John F. Feiner. The key topic was Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. [Kommersant]analysed the details of the meeting together with Oleksiy Haran, Professor of Political Science at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
Among those present on the Ukrainian side were the head of the Presidential Administration Andriy Yermak, the commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andriy Hnatov, the acting commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Anatoliy Krivonozhko, and government representatives.
Key topics:
- Russia’s missile attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent days, including Poltava and Lviv;
- Situation at the frontline. Special attention to the Pokrovske direction and operations in the Kursk region;
- The use of F-16s and Ukraine’s need for additional air defence systems, SAMs, missiles, etc;
- Capabilities of the Ukrainian defence sector and cooperation with US companies;
- Strengthening export controls to prevent critical western-made technologies from reaching Russia;
- Sanctions against Russia, in particular, restrictions on the distribution of Russian oil and the work of Rosatom.
We should not expect immediate decisions from a single meeting, but it is important that the support continues, said Oleksiy Haran, Professor of Political Science at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, in an exclusive commentary for 
.
“Diplomacy is a very complex bilateral process, and we should not expect anything to be resolved or an unexpected statement to be made during a particular visit. The fact that these contacts are taking place at different levels is good. And then a lot will depend on the specific situation at the front, on the use of Western weapons,” Oleksiy Haran
Obviously, during Anatoliy Kryvonozhko’s report to his American colleagues on Ukraine’s needs for additional air defence systems, air defence systems, missiles, the possibility of using Western weapons deep into Russia could have been discussed. It’s no secret that Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly asked for permission to hit more Russian military targets with US weapons. However, the latest statement by John Kirby, the White House National Security Council’s strategic communications coordinator, shows that Ukraine has not yet received a concrete answer. On 26 August, the US said it was continuing to discuss with Ukraine the issue of lifting restrictions on long-range strikes against Russia, but in a non-public format.
The general trend is that we are trying to squeeze as much out of this situation as possible while Biden is in office, says the political science professor at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
“Whether Biden will do this is a question mark. Right now, the Biden administration needs Kamala Harris to win the election. The US is also somewhat limited in its manoeuvres,” Oleksiy Haran
Presumably, the US and Ukraine discussed the upcoming meeting between Zelenskyy and Biden
Oleksiy Haran, Professor of Political Science at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, does not rule out that during John Finner’s visit to Ukraine, the future meeting of the Presidents of the United States and Ukraine could have been discussed. Because,
a) there is a suitable platform for it in the form of the UN General Assembly at the end of September;
b) Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed a desire to bring a plan for Ukraine’s victory to Biden and both US presidential candidates personally.
The likely meetings with both Biden and Trump are definitely a positive signal, says Oleksiy Haran. However, it is too early to make predictions, as the organisation of such meetings often depends on specific events on the eve, including US domestic and foreign policy, says Oleksiy Haran. Especially when it comes to Trump, who is quite chaotic in his actions.
“If the meeting between Biden and Zelensky takes place, then there will be a concrete result. The annual high-level conferences of the UN General Assembly are more of a formal event. What happens during the visit is often more important. I do not rule out that something may have been discussed during Fine’s visit to Ukraine. It would be logical,” said Oleksiy Haran
Earlier, in an interview with the BBC, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed hope that the power of diplomacy could help end the war. At the same time, the world should put pressure on Russia to convince it to come to the negotiating table and consider ending the war.
Author – Anastasia Fedor