Despite the exchange of harsh statements between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US leader Donald Trump last week, diplomatic channels between Kyiv and Washington have not been severed. This was reported in the RBC-Ukraine podcast 'TSE BAZA' by the outlet's political direction head, journalist Milan Lelich, who, citing his own sources, described the course of negotiations and the parties' efforts to restore a constructive dialogue.
Without Repeating the Oval Office Scenario
According to Lelich, the current situation is fundamentally different from the episode on February 28 of last year, when after the scandal in the Oval Office, contacts between the two capitals effectively ceased for a time. 'There is no such rupture of contacts as it was after the scandal in the Oval Office on February 28 of last year, when everything was de facto interrupted for a time,' the journalist emphasized. Thus, even against the backdrop of a public altercation at the highest level, working lines between the Ukrainian and American sides remained open.
Push for an In-Person Meeting and the 'Drone Deal' Idea
During the past week, Ukrainian negotiators, according to the publication's sources, actively proposed that the American side hold another in-person meeting, most likely in Europe. One of the journalist's interlocutors reported that the idea of bringing the American side to a constructive footing was discussed — in particular, discussing the so-called 'drone deal' with Ukraine to return relations to a 'commercial channel'. This indicates Kyiv's attempt to shift the dialogue from public accusations to specific agreements.
Vitkoff's Illness and Telephone Negotiations
At the same time, according to sources, one of the two American negotiators, Steve Vitkoff, fell ill last week. Consequently, as is known, negotiations took place by phone on Sunday evening Kyiv time. This week, contacts with Vitkoff and his partner Jared Kushner, according to Lelich, are expected to continue, although it remains unclear whether a personal meeting at the delegation level will take place.
Miami: 'Good and Bad Cop'
Recalling the meeting of Ukrainian, European, and American negotiators in Miami on October 9, the journalist added that, according to his sources, Kushner and Vitkoff demonstrated a 'good cop, bad cop' tactic there. In particular, one of the interlocutors noted that Kushner tried to 'toxify' the Ukrainian side in front of European partners, criticizing it for failing to implement reforms, while Vitkoff acted in a more constructive vein, but at the same time also pushed for 'closing a deal'.
Roots of the Crisis: Sanctions and Mutual Statements
Recall that an acute crisis in relations between Ukraine and USA, according to sources, arose against the background of Washington concluding an agreement with Moscow (referred to as 'diesel' in the source) providing for the suspension of part of the sanctions against Russia. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called such a decision by the American leader weak. In turn, Donald Trump stated that with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, according to him, it is supposedly easier to 'deal' than with Zelenskyy. Against this background, the preservation of working contacts, which Lelich speaks of, looks like a key factor preventing the public altercation from turning into a full-fledged diplomatic rupture.
