White House: "Basic Outline Agreed on Israel-Hamas Hostage and Ceasefire Negotiations"

Urging the House to Pass Ukraine Budget
Zelensky: "31,000 Soldiers Killed in 2 Years"

The U.S. government announced that the four countries involved have agreed on the basic framework for negotiations aimed at hostage release and a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas. It also repeatedly urged Congress to swiftly pass the Ukraine aid budget bill.

Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Advisor, appeared on CNN and other networks on the 25th (local time) and said, "It is true that representatives from Israel, the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar agreed in Paris on the basic outline of negotiations for a temporary ceasefire and hostage release."

According to earlier foreign media reports, the U.S. reportedly presented Israel with a negotiation proposal centered on a six-week ceasefire in exchange for Hamas releasing about 40 hostages.

Sullivan explained, "Qatar and Egypt need to conduct indirect negotiations with Hamas," adding, "Ultimately, Hamas must agree to the hostage release." He further emphasized, "We hope that all parties will reach a firm and final agreement on this issue within a few days."

Additionally, Sullivan urged Congress to pass an additional military aid budget for Ukraine. Previously, the Senate approved a $95 billion (approximately 127 trillion won) aid package for Ukraine and Israel, but the Republican-majority House opposes the bill, citing the absence of funding to strengthen the southern border. The budget allocated for Ukraine amounts to $60.7 billion (approximately 81 trillion won).

On the same day, appearing on ABC, he said, "This bill passed the Senate overwhelmingly and in a bipartisan manner," adding, "If a vote is held, it will also pass overwhelmingly in the House." He called this "a case where one person can change the course of history," urging House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, to bring the Ukraine aid bill to a vote.

Regarding the Ukraine war, Sullivan stated, "Of course, Ukraine can win," and said, "Ukraine has prevented its territory from falling into Russian hands. They have already succeeded in one of their important objectives." When asked if there is evidence that Russia is attempting to interfere in this election as it did in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, he replied, "I cannot comment on evidence today, but there are concerns," adding, "There are sufficient reasons to be concerned."

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died over the past two years since Russia's invasion.

At a press conference that day, President Zelensky requested Congress to pass the budget within a month, emphasizing, "When we talk about U.S. aid, it should be understood that it is primarily weapons support, not financial aid."

He also viewed the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November as a decisive turning point that will determine how the war ends.