Stefanchuk accused Russia of delaying negotiations in Abu Dhabi

Russia is delaying negotiations to end the war against Ukraine. The speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk said this in an interview with DW❶❷.

"This is the traditional essence of Russia. She says: "We are ready for any things without any conditions, but, but, but..." They (the Russians) are delaying this process," he said.

"And it is important for us that these concrete decisive actions, which Ukrainians and Americans can demonstrate together, make it clear to the Russians that they need to negotiate the end of this war," Stefanchuk said, expressing confidence that the Ukrainian negotiators are doing everything necessary.

On February 5, two-day negotiations between Ukraine, Russia and the United States aimed at a peaceful settlement ended in Abu Dhabi.

During his visit to Washington, Stefanchuk also discussed with Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson the possibility of ratification in The Congress guarantees security for Ukraine from the United States.

"It is very important — we spoke with Speaker Johnson yesterday — that Ukraine already has a negative experience of the Budapest Memorandum, we need mandatory security guarantees that we will be ready to ratify in the future Congress, and in The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine," he stressed.

The speaker of the Rada pointed out the importance of Johnson's support for Kiev.

"This is not the first time we have met. We are constantly on the phone with him, we coordinate on these issues. He has the opportunity to receive information directly from me," Stefanchuk stressed.

The Ukrainian politician discussed, in particular, with Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal the transfer of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.

"But Ukraine wants peace. Ukraine wants peace, so we are also looking for solutions in the diplomatic sphere," said the interlocutor of DW❶❷.

Earlier, in November 2025, Ruslan Stefanchuk noted that the "red lines" for Kiev in the negotiations are the formal recognition of the territories occupied by Russia, restrictions on the defense forces of Ukraine and restrictions on future alliances of the country.

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