Ukraine expects technical discussions to begin shortly as part of preparations for broader talks to end the five-year war with Russia, the country’s top presidential advisor said on Friday.
Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s representative in negotiations and a key advisor to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, told Reuters in an interview that the upcoming talks would center on technical aspects rather than substantive peace agreements. "I think everyone will see negotiations happening very soon. But these will mainly involve the technical side of issues and preparations for something larger, which I hope we will eventually reach," he stated.
Budanov dismissed the possibility of a swift resolution, calling it "unrealistic" to expect the conflict to conclude before winter. He also emphasized that Russia’s position has not shifted, despite public statements suggesting otherwise. "At this moment, the Russian Federation — and I say this as someone deeply involved in this process — is openly stating: 'Perhaps we would have wanted to, but we won’t,'" he said.
The last round of trilateral negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States took place in February, with no tangible progress reported. Since then, both sides have intensified attacks on critical infrastructure, including logistics hubs, port facilities, and energy networks. Analysts anticipate that Russia may escalate its campaign against Ukraine’s electrical grid as colder weather approaches, mirroring tactics used in prior winters.
Russia’s primary demand remains Ukraine’s withdrawal from the Donbas region, a territory it has failed to fully occupy despite its large-scale invasion. Kyiv has repeatedly rejected any concessions on the area, reaffirming its commitment to retaining control over all currently held territories.
