Media: Ukraine concerned about Americans' alleged back-channel diplomacy with Russia.
Ukraine is worried[1] about alleged secret talks between former U.S. officials and Kremlin-linked Russians concerning Ukraine's NATO membership, NBC News reported on July 8, citing an unnamed Ukrainian official. "Given the timing of the appearance of these materials in the mass media on the eve of the Vilnius summit, the question arises whether Washington's tough position regarding the invitation of Ukraine to NATO is somehow not connected with these backroom consultations," the official said in a statement on behalf of the Ukrainian government. NBC News reported on July 6 that former U.S. national security officials spoke with Russians, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in New York in April to discuss the war, including the fate of Russian-occupied territories, in case Ukraine cannot liberate them with military strength.
The officials included former diplomat Richard Haass, Europe expert Charles Kupchan and Russia expert Thomas Graham, the latter two having formerly served in the White House and the State Department. NATO members will meet in Vilnius on July 11 to discuss the status of Ukraine's possible membership, as well as the alliance's support for the embattled country.
Ukraine war latest: Pentagon unveils £800 million aid package, approves cluster munition for Ukraine Key developments on July 7: * Pentagon announces £800 million aid package * US approves cluster munitions for Ukraine * Zelensky arrives in Turkey * Russia excludes IAEA experts from Zaporizhzhia plant's reactor rooftops * NATO to agree on package 'to bring Ukraine closer,' says Stoltenberg *...
[2] 
Igor Kossov
Reporter
Igor is a reporter at the Kyiv Independent.
He has previously covered conflict in the Middle East, investigated corruption in Ukraine and man-made environmental damage in Southeast Asia.
He has a Master's in Journalism from the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism and was published in the Kyiv Post, USA Today, The Atlantic, Daily Beast and Foreign Policy.
References
- ^ worried (www.nbcnews.com)
- ^ Ukraine war latest: Pentagon unveils £800 million aid package, approves cluster munition for UkraineKey developments on July 7: * Pentagon announces £800 million aid package * US approves cluster munitions for Ukraine * Zelensky arrives in Turkey * Russia excludes IAEA experts from Zaporizhzhia plant's reactor rooftops * NATO to agree on package 'to bring Ukraine closer,' says Stoltenberg *... (kyivindependent.com)