In an interview with state media published on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the nuances of both the trilateral and bilateral peace talks with Russian and US delegations, striking positive notes about the process and expressing confidence that Ukraine’s membership in the EU, and possibly NATO at some point, are on the right track.
Sybiha said he is grateful for the American involvement in peace talks with Russia, and saw “no need” to meet directly with his counterpart in Moscow, Sergei Lavrov, explaining that, “Now is not the time to create additional efforts, and they’re not necessary.”
Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.
“It’s very significant that the US remains engaged in the process, because there have been various risks and challenges,” Sybiha told European Pravda.
“Progress is being made in the negotiations. We have moved on to the trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi.”
In terms of direct, bilateral meetings with Russian envoys, there too Sybiha was pleased with the direction of what have been, to date, prolonged and ineffective negotiations.
“The negotiations are complex. However, we can state that there has been a qualitative change in the Russian delegation,” he said. “The delegates are different people, and they don’t deliver pseudo-historical lectures anymore. The talks have been very focused.”
Other Topics of Interest
Rubio Says Witkoff, Kushner Will Not Join Next Round of Peace Talks
Rubio also told lawmakers on Wednesday that the future status of Donetsk remains the principal obstacle to reaching a peace agreement between Kyiv and Moscow.
Until now, Moscow, and especially Kremlin strongman Vladimir Putin, have contended that Ukraine is historically part of Russia, and therefore there cannot be talk of Ukrainian sovereignty.
In 2024, Putin famously delivered a 30-minute screed on Russian history to US conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, ranging from the middle-ages Varangian leadership of Kyiv in the 900s, to the Mongol invasion of Eastern Europe in the 14th century and 20th-century Soviet leadership, making sure to hit his “Kievan Rus” talking points along the way.
Moscow has not abandoned this line of thinking by any means, and territorial disputes remain the sticking point.
“The most sensitive issues are still unresolved – territories, and future control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Sybiha said. “The president is ready to meet with Putin to discuss these issues and resolve them.”
Sybiha was also careful to stress the importance of Europe’s participation in the process, especially as regards security guarantees, as Washington has been clear that there would be no American troops on the ground to enforce a ceasefire.
He was confident that Western European allies would pave the way for an expedited accession to the EU, and even the controversial idea of eventual NATO membership, which the Russians have categorically ruled out.
“First and foremost, all the key EU member states support Ukraine’s membership,” Sybiha said. “The date is a complex issue. The EU has its own procedures, and in some respects we are hostages to the consensus-based approach… But I do clearly see realistic timeframes for our accession.”
“The EU has an interest in Ukraine joining as soon as possible. EU membership isn’t just an element of the guarantees for our security. The EU needs us too – both because Ukraine has become a contributor to security, and in order for the EU to become more competitive globally.”
The Foreign Minister continued: “It’s true that there is currently no consensus within NATO on Ukraine’s accession. But we have established very effective political and practical cooperation. I’m regularly invited to meetings of NATO foreign ministers. Ambassadors of key NATO states have visited us, including US Ambassador [to NATO Matthew] Whitaker.
“I’ve heard they even went to the front line and visited a Ukrainian command post… And they spoke with some of our military personnel. I know what kind of impact this has on foreign officials.”