Russia sees no point in continuing peace talks with Ukraine if Kyiv refuses to give up territory. The next round of negotiations could become decisive.
Reports from anonymous sources
Bloomberg reports this, citing anonymous sources. They say the next round of talks should determine the future of the process. It may take place around March 4–5.
According to the sources, Russia stands ready to sign a draft memorandum on a peace agreement if Ukraine withdraws its troops from the Donetsk region. After that, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin would meet and sign the final documents.
Bloomberg writes that next week’s negotiations will show whether the sides truly want to end the war. If the Ukrainian president refuses to hand over territory, the Kremlin will leave the process.
The territorial issue
Territory remains the most difficult issue in efforts to stop Russia’s full-scale war. Zelenskyy insists that Ukrainian control over parts of the Donetsk region protects the country from a future Russian attack. Kyiv also refuses to recognize Moscow’s illegal occupation of any Ukrainian land. For this reason, Ukraine does not consider withdrawing its troops from Donetsk.
Zelenskyy proposed a ceasefire along the current front lines. He also wants to return occupied territories through diplomacy. This plan includes security guarantees from the United States and the European Union.
The US suggested creating a free economic zone in the disputed area. However, Kyiv does not want to give up control. The Kremlin wants units of the Russian National Guard to deploy there instead.
Sources say Russia would withdraw troops from parts of the Kharkiv and Sumy regions, as well as from the Dnipropetrovsk region. Moscow also claims it will not seek to expand its control over the occupied parts of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Forecast for the March 4–5 talks
According to Bloomberg, Russia would accept a US-led monitoring mission to oversee a ceasefire. The Kremlin would drop its demand to limit the size of Ukraine’s army. However, it would continue to oppose the deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine.
The future of the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains unclear. Russia supports a trilateral arrangement that would divide electricity production between the US and Ukraine. At the same time, Kyiv favors a 50–50 division with the US. Under that model, Washington could freely supply electricity to Moscow.
On February 25, Zelenskyy said he expects the next meeting to “create an opportunity to move talks to the leaders’ level.” He made the statement after a call with US President Donald Trump.
Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported on Zelenskyy’s remarks about ending the war. In an interview with Sky News, he said peace in the Russia–Ukraine war may be possible before the US midterm elections.
