Key facts
- Sybiha said he pressed Washington to keep pressure on Moscow while diplomatic efforts to end the war took place in Abu Dhabi.
- Sybiha said Ukraine remained prepared to discuss de-escalatory measures including ceasefires covering the Black Sea and energy infrastructure.
- Sybiha said he was "not so optimistic" about progress on the Black Sea ceasefire proposal and was awaiting Moscow's response.
Ukraine's foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, said he urged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on November 10 to accelerate deliveries of interceptors, the missiles used to shoot down incoming attacks, as Russia steps up strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure ahead of winter.
Sybiha spoke to Reuters after talks with Rubio on the sidelines of a G7 foreign ministers' meeting in Paris. He said he had pressed Washington to maintain pressure on Moscow even as diplomatic efforts to end the war took place in Abu Dhabi.
He said Ukraine remained prepared to discuss a range of de-escalatory measures, including ceasefires covering the Black Sea and energy infrastructure. Proposals for a Black Sea ceasefire had been conveyed to Russia through intermediaries including Turkey, Egypt and India, Sybiha said, adding that he was "not so optimistic" about progress and was still awaiting a response from Moscow.