Ukrainian Diplomat Sergiy Kyslytsya on Negotiations and War Efforts

Sergiy Olehovych Kyslytsya is currently the first deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine. Previously, he was the permanent representative of Ukraine to the United Nations.

At the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Kyslytsya was stationed in New York as Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations. That day, he addressed Russian ambassador Vasily Nebenzya directly. Kyslytsya stated, “There is no purgatory for war criminals. They go straight to hell, ambassador.” The war prompted the severing of diplomatic ties between Kyiv and Moscow, making his role uniquely significant.

According to Kyslytsya, most ambassadors worldwide refused dialogue with Russian envoys. Thus, his interactions at the UN became essential. His experiences equipped him to manage his emotions and maintain composure during peace negotiations.

Despite official negotiations mediated by the U.S. stalling earlier this year, Ukraine continues to engage with U.S. and occasionally Russian representatives. Kyslytsya, a crucial member of Ukraine’s negotiation team since 2025, emphasizes that the dialogue remains “active and ongoing.” He reaffirmed Kyiv’s stance on halting the conflict by freezing the fighting along the current frontline, stressing this does not recognize occupied territories as Russian.

The Kremlin’s unrealistic demands persist, according to Kyslytsya, notably in their “3+2” proposal. This framework, emerging from a summit between then-President Trump and Russian President Putin, demands recognition of Russian claims over five Ukrainian regions. U.S Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated this proposal failed due to Ukraine’s rejection, seeking a mutually acceptable deal instead.

Russia aims to control the entirety of the Donetsk region. They allegedly conveyed to U.S. officials intentions to capture the remaining unoccupied areas within months. Kyslytsya highlights Ukraine’s superiority in modern warfare. Long-range drone strikes on Russian oil and gas facilities have caused operational challenges for the Kremlin, undermining their war capabilities.

This lack of Russian advancements on the battlefield is recognized not just by Ukrainians but also by international partners, including the United States. At a NATO summit in Ankara, President Trump commended Ukrainian troops. Zelenskyy has reached out to Putin, seeking direct discussions to potentially end the conflict.

Kyslytsya notes the war’s continuation is solely within Putin’s hands, hinting a meeting between leaders could yield significant progress. Last month, Putin dismissed the idea of such talks. However, Kyslytsya believes the ongoing situation might necessitate reevaluation. He stresses the strategic advantage Ukraine holds, potentially compelling Russia’s leader to choose dialogue.