Date announced for the 4th round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia

Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, made a statement regarding the 4th round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia mediated by the US. Responding to a question about the next round of negotiations, Budanov said, "I think it will be this weekend. It is no secret that the negotiations are not easy, but we are definitely making progress and approaching the moment when all parties must make their final decisions. Is it to continue this war or to move to peace?"

Describing Russia's stance in the negotiations as "measured, polite, and professional," Budanov said, "They are behaving in a completely diplomatically correct manner. At the same time, it is clear to everyone that we all have different positions."

Budanov stated that Ukraine is "doing everything" to organize a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, but that it is "very difficult" at the moment. Budanov also said that the next prisoner-of-war exchange between Russia and Ukraine could take place this week and could be larger than the previous exchange, in which both countries returned 157 prisoners of war each.

On the other hand, Ukrainian and Russian delegations had previously met for direct talks mediated by the US in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, on January 23-24 and February 4-5, and in Geneva, Switzerland, on February 17-18.