The United States is working to ensure Ukraine is in a stronger position when negotiations to end the war with Russia begin, said John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the U.S. National Security Council.

Speaking at a press conference on September 5, Kirby emphasized the U.S.’s role in promoting President Volodymyr Zelensky’s “peace formula” on the international stage, which has garnered significant global support, Caliber.Az reports.

“As we have long maintained, if this war is going to end through some sort of negotiation, we want to make sure that President Zelenskyy is in the best possible position to make decisions about what that negotiation looks like, and that’s what we’re focused on right now,” he said.

He also reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to providing Ukraine with the necessary resources for self-defence and to bolster its standing in potential future peace negotiations.

“We are absolutely focused on making sure Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself and to put them in that position of strength should, if, and when a negotiation occurs,” the official added.