Zelensky's emissaries meet several members of Biden administration while visiting U.S

MOSCOW. Dec 7 (Interfax) - Head of the Ukrainian presidential office Andrei Yermak, Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov met with United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken during their visit to the U.S., Ukrainian media have reported with reference to the Ukrainian presidential press service.

Yermak informed Blinken of progress in negotiations on security guarantees for Ukraine on its path toward NATO membership, as is stipulated by the Group of 7's joint declaration adopted in Vilnius.

He said he hoped Ukraine and the U.S. would soon begin substantive discussions on Washington's proposals concerning a bilateral agreement on security guarantees for Ukraine.

Yermak thanked Blinken for all help the U.S. has provided to Ukraine since the start of the crisis, which has reached about $45 billion in defense assistance and $22.9 billion in budget support.

The parties discussed the necessity of support for Ukraine's macro-financial stability, it said.

Umerov and Yermak also had a separate meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Ukrainian media reported citing the Defense Ministry.

"The parties discussed strategic goals and a Ukrainian plan of operations for 2024," they said.

"NATO is a special priority [for Ukraine] for next year," Umerov said. "Our goal and objective is to bring our defense forces into line with the alliance's principles and standards," he said.