Washington and Kyiv demonstrate a new dimension of strategic cooperation, particularly in energy and defenses, and the agreement on minerals signed between the two countries has become an important step in strengthening this partnership.

This was stated by Ambassador William Taylor, Distinguished Fellow, Atlantic Council, US Ambassador to Ukraine (2006-2009 & 2019-2020), at the 17 th Annual Kyiv Security Forum “UA: UNITE AGAIN TO DEFEAT THE GLOBAL AGGRESSOR”, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”.

He also argued his opinion enumerating other decisions and events that have taken place in Washington in recent weeks. In particular, the US Treasury Department has drawn a package of sanctions, which, if adopted, imposes 500% tariffs on Russian petroleum importers.

“Petroleum is now 56 dollars per barrel, and Russian oil - only 49. Under these conditions, Moscow is going through difficult times,” Amb.William Taylor commented on the economic situation in Russia.

In addition, the US State Department announced a next in line military aid package for Ukraine, including F-16 fighters. According to the diplomat, this indicates a shift in strategic vision of the Trump administration. “Is this an evolutionary move in Washington? Indeed, I hope that these changes take place,” he stressed.

The Kyiv Security Forum, founded by Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s “Open Ukraine” foundation, is the main platform of our state for discussing the problems of war and peace, national and world security.