Ukraine negotiator: ‘We have the upper hand’
Ukraine's Position Strengthens as Peace Talks Remain Open
A Diplomatic Bridge Between Rivals
Ecorescuezone.com – When Russian forces began their comprehensive military campaign against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Sergiy Kyslytsya occupied a distinctive position in New York as his nation's representative to the United Nations. The timing proved fortuitous for his diplomatic role, as the invasion immediately severed formal relations between Kyiv and Moscow. This rupture created an unusual circumstance: the United Nations became the sole venue where Ukrainian and Russian diplomats maintained direct engagement with one another.
On that pivotal day, Kyslytsya addressed the assembly with characteristic directness. Leaning toward his microphone, he fixed his gaze upon Vasily Nebenzya, Russia's own U.N. representative. His words carried considerable weight:
"There is no purgatory for war criminals," he declared. "They go straight to hell, ambassador."
Unlike many of his colleagues stationed in foreign capitals, Kyslytsya maintained communication channels with Russian officials throughout the conflict.
"My fellow ambassadors in all capitals around the world would not talk to them," he explained. "So by the time I was part of our negotiating team (for peace talks), I already knew how to control my feelings and attitude."
Negotiations and Strategic Positioning
Official peace discussions, facilitated by American mediators, have experienced considerable stagnation since the beginning of this year. The Trump administration has simultaneously directed substantial attention toward American military operations against Iran. Nevertheless, Kyslytsya notes that Ukraine maintains ongoing dialogue with American representatives and, on occasion, with Russian envoys as well. He has served as a central figure within Ukraine's negotiation delegation since 2025.
NPR conducted an interview with Kyslytsya, who additionally holds the position of first deputy head within President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office. The conversation took place within the heavily secured presidential complex in Kyiv. His workspace features wartime artistic pieces and bookshelves filled with historical volumes and contemporary political analysis, among them a work authored by Jared Kushner. A particularly charming element of his office is DeZi, his thirteen-year-old Jack Russell terrier, who stands watch over diplomatic discussions.
During their extensive discussion, Kyslytsya reinforced Kyiv's present stance regarding conflict resolution: establishing a ceasefire along the existing frontline.
"Of course, that does not entail illegal or de facto recognition of the territories occupied by the Russians as Russian territories," he clarified.
The Anchorage Formula and Russian Demands
According to Kyslytsya, the Kremlin persists in presenting expectations that exceed realistic possibilities. He specifically references the "3+2" proposal, alternatively termed the "Anchorage formula." This diplomatic framework originated from an August 2025 summit held in Alaska, where President Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Within this arrangement, Russia pursues acknowledgment of its assertions concerning five Ukrainian territories—three regions under complete Russian control and two areas experiencing partial occupation. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the proposal encountered rejection from Ukraine, expressing his desire for an agreement satisfactory to both parties.
"The Russians are obsessed, and Putin is obsessed with taking full control of the Donetsk region, the 15 to 20 percent that's not occupied," he noted. "And (the Russians) have been feeding the Americans with the line that in two or three months, they will take full control."
Ukraine's Growing Advantage
Kyslytsya emphasizes that contemporary warfare has evolved beyond traditional infantry and artillery engagements.
"It is a war of the 21st century," he stated. "And we have the upper hand."
Ukrainian long-range aerial vehicles continue striking Russian energy infrastructure, generating fuel deficits and diminishing the Kremlin's capacity to sustain military operations. Kyslytsya contends that Russian forces have ceased making substantial territorial gains.
"And that has become very apparent not only to Ukrainians but also to our partners and to the United States," he observed.
President Trump recently commended Ukrainian soldiers during the NATO summit convened in Ankara. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy composed a direct open letter to Putin in June, suggesting personal negotiations between the two leaders.
"In Russia, this war is a decision of just one person," Kyslytsya remarked. "In Russia, this war can be stopped at any given time by just one person."
He anticipates that such a meeting might occur before year's end, potentially producing
"a major breakthrough."
Although Putin dismissed the prospect of personal talks last month, Kyslytsya believes continued Ukrainian military pressure—particularly through long-range strikes—could alter the Russian leader's position.
"Because, see, if we keep doing what we do, with long-range strikes, sooner or later, the Russian leader would have only one choice: to sit down and discuss how to stop this war."
Ultimately, Kyslytsya maintains confidence that even Putin recognizes Ukraine now possesses all the necessary leverage for meaningful negotiations.
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