Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy affirmed that the recent de-escalation with Russia contributes to strengthening confidence in the negotiation process, referring to Moscow’s temporary halt to its attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities.

“The de-escalation measures that went into effect on the night of last Thursday to Friday are helping to build public trust in the negotiation process and its possible outcome”, Zelenskyy said in a statement.

“We believe it is realistic to achieve a dignified and lasting peace. Ukraine is ready for real steps”, he added.

The Ukrainian president said that Ukrainian negotiators will hold a bilateral meeting with the US delegation, noting in this regard that security guarantees document with the United States is now ready.

“We anticipate further substantive work on ‌documents ‌related to recovery and economic development”, Zelenskyy added.

This comes at a time when negotiations on settling the Ukrainian crisis began last Saturday in Miami, with the participation of Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian president’s special envoy, and the US negotiating delegation headed by Steve Wittkopf, the US president’s special envoy, with both sides describing the talks as effective and constructive.