**Ukraine and US Relations Back on Track**
The relationship between Ukraine and the United States is improving, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak. In an interview with Reuters, Yermak said that Ukraine has had “great conversations” with American officials.
This comes after two rounds of talks in Saudi Arabia between the US and Ukraine about a ceasefire agreement between Kyiv and Moscow. The latest round ended on March 25 with both sides agreeing to stop attacks on energy facilities and military actions in the Black Sea.
**Talks Bring Hope for Ceasefire**
The tensions between Ukraine and the US had reached a low point after a clash at the White House on February 28. However, talks resumed in Saudi Arabia on March 11, and the US agreed to resume military aid to Kyiv.
Yermak said that the US has realized how serious Ukraine is about the negotiations. “Dear American friends, you understand that we are partners,” he said. This shows that Ukraine and the US are working together towards a peaceful solution.
**Russia’s Conditions Raise Concerns**
However, Russia’s condition to lift some Western sanctions in exchange for a partial ceasefire raises concerns. Yermak said this is indicative of Moscow’s approach to peace talks as such. “It shows that they did not accept an unconditional ceasefire, which is nonsense,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has recorded eight confirmed attacks on its energy facilities by Russian forces since March 18. The Ukrainian military denied allegations of violating a partial ceasefire agreement after Russia claimed that Ukraine had launched drone attacks at energy facilities in Russia and occupied Crimea.
**Back to Normal**
Despite these concerns, Yermak remains optimistic about the progress made so far. “I think we have great conversations with the Americans,” he said. “I think we are back on track.”