Ukraine and Russia to Hold Talks on Donbas Control on February 26

Ukraine-Russia Negotiations Scheduled

According to ХВИЛЯ: A new round of bilateral talks between Ukraine and Russia is tentatively scheduled for February 26-27. The primary focus of these discussions remains territorial issues, specifically control over the Donbas region. The head of the Ukrainian President's Office, Kyrylo Budanov, stated that Russia continues to insist on maintaining control over this area. The Ukrainian delegation has also raised the possibility of organizing a direct meeting between Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin. However, the Kremlin has not yet provided a definitive response to this proposal.

Humanitarian Issues and Russian Demands

In addition, a large-scale prisoner-of-war exchange is anticipated this week. This represents a significant step within the humanitarian context of the conflict. A previous exchange saw 157 Ukrainian defenders returned home, indicating a continued dialogue between the sides despite the complex situation on the front lines.

“Give us the Donbas”

Kyrylo Budanov

It is worth noting that Budanov outlined several key steps necessary for achieving peace, including:

• strict personal accountability for the aggression,
• the activation of compensation mechanisms,
• the return of all abducted children,
• and the strengthening of Ukraine's judicial system.

These upcoming talks could therefore become a pivotal moment in the development of Ukrainian-Russian relations, particularly regarding the issue of Donbas control and humanitarian exchanges. The ongoing dialogue, especially on prisoner swaps, suggests the potential for certain compromises, which could in turn influence the future dynamics of the conflict and the relationship between the two nations. The Donbas region has been a central flashpoint since 2014, making its status a core issue in any negotiations to end the wider war.