The United States has the necessary mechanisms to help Ukraine and Russia find common ground, Head of the Office of the President Kyrylo Budanov said while speaking to journalists during the international Justice Conference.
“Let’s be frank: neither side wants to lose the United States. This is the truth and a fact,” Budanov stated, emphasizing Washington’s central role in the negotiation process. According to him, the U.S. is equipped with the political and diplomatic tools required to facilitate a shared position between the parties.
Addressing ongoing diplomatic efforts, Budanov noted that during the recent negotiations in Geneva, the Russian delegation did not raise the issue of elections in Ukraine.
“Strangely enough, this time the Russians did not raise this issue at all,” he said, adding that the matter had not been discussed in previous meetings either.
Instead, he underscored that territorial questions remain at the heart of the negotiations.
“Territories are the main issue. Everything else is secondary. For them, and probably for everyone, it seems to me,” Budanov remarked.
According to him, Russia continues to insist on control over the Donbas region.
“They want Donbas to be handed over to them. ‘Give us Donbas’ — that is their position,” he said.
Budanov also confirmed that preparations are underway for the next round of trilateral negotiations, expected to take place around February 27. He clarified that the exact date is still being coordinated.
“It is a procedural matter — who arrives when, where, and so on. All three sides need to coordinate this among themselves. In fact, four sides — including the host. But we are preparing,” he explained.
The upcoming talks are expected to focus primarily on territorial issues, which remain the central sticking point in efforts to reach a negotiated settlement.
