Ukrainian MP Roman Kostenko on Negotiations with Russia
In an interview with DW, Ukrainian Member of Parliament Roman Kostenko stated that entering negotiations with Russia at this moment would be disadvantageous for Ukraine. He argued that there is no basis for compromise under current conditions, as the Ukrainian delegation's mandate is to not cede territory, while Russia's goal is to seize it. The situation could fundamentally change by spring, he noted, provided Ukraine can hold its lines until then.
Second Round of Talks in Abu Dhabi
A second round of talks took place in Abu Dhabi, where President Zelenskyy reported a shift in the rhetoric of the Russian delegation. The United States has also expressed an interest in seeing the active phase of the war conclude before the summer of 2026. These developments occur against the backdrop of a grinding war of attrition. Kostenko emphasized that if Ukraine can endure until spring, the dynamics at the negotiating table could be transformed.
'The conversation will be entirely different when Ukraine can say: Give us back the nuclear power plant, give us back the Kinburn Spit, because we need to free our ports... Give us back the new Kakhovka, because that is our territory, and we need to rebuild the dam,' stated Roman Kostenko.
In this way, he highlighted the critical importance of Ukraine maintaining its territorial integrity and a strong strategic position in any future talks.
Kostenko's remarks underscore the complexity and high stakes of Ukraine's diplomatic engagement with Russia. Amid ongoing military action and territorial losses, Ukraine's firm stance could significantly influence the trajectory of the peace process. The altered tone from Russia and the stated U.S. interest in an endpoint suggest that diplomatic efforts may intensify in the near future, though the path remains fraught with difficulty.