Ukraine has called for speeding up peace negotiations with Russia, saying that U.S. President Donald Trump has the influence needed to help seal a final agreement to end the nearly four-year war. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the remaining disagreements in the current U.S.-brokered talks are among the most difficult and likely require a direct meeting between Ukrainian and Russian leaders to resolve them.
Kyiv wants to build on momentum in the peace process before other factors — such as the U.S. midterm elections in November — affect the talks. Russia occupies about one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea and parts of the east seized before and after the full-scale invasion that began in February 2022.
Although recent negotiations in Abu Dhabi did not produce a major breakthrough, the two sides agreed to a prisoner swap of 314 people, and another round of talks is planned in Miami next week. Ukraine hopes to have a draft peace deal by March and possibly hold a referendum in May on any agreement.
Ukraine is also pushing for strong U.S.-led security guarantees to deter future aggression. Western partners have discussed mechanisms like a monitoring system with drones, sensors and satellites, though the plan does not include U.S. combat troops on the ground. Kyiv is seeking firm commitments from allies to support a peace deal’s enforcement.
Sybiha said Ukraine would not accept any outcome that recognises Russian control over Crimea or the Donbas, branding such recognition a violation of international law.
