Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze met with a delegation from the United States Council on Foreign Relations. Against the backdrop of reports about the suspension of U.S. military assistance to Ukraine, the discussion focused primarily on the critical need to continue supporting Ukraine’s Defence Forces — support that clearly aligns with the national interests not only of Ukraine, but also of the United States. At the same time, Russia must be pressured toward peace through sanctions — a strategy that, unfortunately, remains underutilized, despite 82 U.S. senators having signed a related Senate initiative.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze emphasized the urgent need to restore a shared understanding of common priorities: “It is critically important for Ukraine to identify rational areas of cooperation with the United States that can function under the current circumstances.”

On the topic of so-called negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, the Committee Chair expressed deep skepticism, noting that Russia has shown no intention of pursuing peace — neither long-term nor even a temporary ceasefire. “The misleading expectation that a truce is just around the corner is dangerous for the world. It also has a demobilizing effect on Ukrainian society,” she said.

Delegation members assured that Washington does not intend to “abandon” Ukraine, despite the current U.S. foreign policy focus on the Pacific region and the containment of China’s growing influence. The Chair of the Committee also drew attention to the areas of international policy where the United States is voluntarily ceding ground — such as the rollback of global support programs, the closure of NGOs, and other key directions. “We must recognize that these empty spaces will be filled by someone else. We speak with our European partners and urge them to fill these gaps, but of course, they cannot cover everything. In my view, this will have very serious long-term consequences,” Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze said.

She also voiced concern over recent reports from Washington about the halt in the delivery of air defence systems and other critical military equipment that had been scheduled for transfer to Ukraine under the previous U.S. administration. “It is difficult for us to understand such a step from the United States, especially following President Trump’s rather optimistic remarks at the NATO Summit about Ukraine’s potential access to air defence systems. For us, these systems are literally life-saving,” emphasized Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.