Ukraine Approaching a Defining Stage in Negotiations
Head of the Office of the President Kyrylo Budanov said that negotiations on ending the war are approaching a point where the parties will have to make a final decision — either to continue the war or move toward peace.
He made the remarks during the international Justice Conference.
According to Budanov, wars of this scale do not end on their own — they conclude either with a just settlement or inevitably return in an even more dangerous form. He stressed that peace talks must not merely halt hostilities but prevent a repeat of Russia’s aggression.
“Negotiations are not easy, but we are definitely moving forward and approaching the moment when all sides will need to make a final decision: to continue this war or transition to peace,” he said.
At the same time, Budanov emphasized that peace without accountability for the aggressor would only amount to a temporary pause.
Peace and Accountability for Aggression
Budanov underlined that aggression is the primary crime that triggers all subsequent events. If the decision to wage war against a sovereign state carries no personal consequences, the international rules-based order collapses.
“Peace without consequences for the aggressor is an invitation to repeat such actions elsewhere in the world,” he said.
He added that any legal decision without a financial dimension will fail to build trust, and that there must be a transition from documenting damages to implementing real compensation mechanisms.
Budanov also highlighted the importance of returning abducted Ukrainian children, calling it one of the darkest crimes of the war. Every case must be documented, every violation legally assessed, and every child ultimately returned home.
Russia’s Position and the Core Issue
Budanov said that during the trilateral talks in Geneva, the Russian delegation did not raise the issue of elections in Ukraine.
“Surprisingly, the Russians did not raise this issue at all,” he noted.
According to him, the main issue in the negotiations remains territorial.
“Territories are the key issue. Everything else is secondary,” Budanov said.
Russia continues to insist on gaining control over Donbas.
“Their position is simple: ‘Give us Donbas,’” he stated.
Ukraine also raised the issue of a possible meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, but no final response has been received from the Russian side.
Preparation for the Next Round of Talks
The Ukrainian delegation is preparing for the next round of trilateral negotiations, which could take place around February 27.
Budanov said that procedural arrangements between the parties and the host country are still ongoing.
He acknowledged that there has been no political breakthrough yet.
“We are moving forward, slowly but steadily. Unfortunately, Ukrainians will only see the final outcome,” he said.
Possible Prisoner Exchange
Budanov expressed hope that a new prisoner exchange could take place this week.
He indicated that the number of people involved would be “significant” — larger than in the previous exchange. On February 5, Ukraine secured the release of 150 service members and seven civilians from Russian captivity.
The Role of the United States
Budanov stressed that the United States has mechanisms to help find common ground between the parties.
“Let’s be honest: neither side wants to lose the United States. That is a fact,” he said.
He also noted that during the Geneva talks, the head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, did not deliver historical lectures, limiting himself to a brief historical reference.
An Existential War and a Changing World Order
Budanov said that Russia has been waging an existential war against Ukraine for a long time.
“An independent Ukraine is a verdict for Russian imperialism. Without Ukraine, the restoration of an empire is impossible,” he said.
According to him, the global order has already changed, and by resisting aggression, Ukraine is safeguarding not only its own security but also broader international stability.
“As long as a Ukrainian soldier holds the line, both the Ukrainian rear and every citizen of Ukraine remain protected,” Budanov stated.