Kyslytsya speaks about changes in negotiation process between Russia and Ukraine

Deputy Head of the Office of the President, Sergiy Kyslytsya, said that the negotiation process with Russia and the United States has undergone significant changes over the past year.

According to Ukrinform, he said this in an interview with the BBC.

According to Kyslytsya, while in 2025 the key meetings took place in Turkey, later the city of Abu Dhabi in the UAE became the venue for negotiations. The main difference was a shift in the composition of the Russian delegation – instead of political figures and representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry, it began to include military personnel and members of special services.

Kyslytsya noted that, in his opinion, this unexpectedly simplified the dialogue. Recalling his work at the UN, he said that Russian diplomats were often difficult opponents.

In contrast, the military, unlike politicians, better understand the realities on the front line and do not delve into ideological or historical disputes.

According to Kyslytsya, the military negotiation group has already reached agreement on about 90% of the technical issues. However, the most difficult 10% remain, in particular issues of territorial ownership, the line of demarcation, and control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. These issues cannot be resolved without political decisions at the highest level.

As Ukrinform reported, trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia took place in Geneva on February 17–18. The next round is expected to take place around February 27.

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