U.S. media reports suggest that Russia and Ukraine are conducting "narrow-scope" secret negotiations in Qatar, focusing on the protection of nuclear facilities and prisoner exchanges.
Citing sources close to the Kremlin, U.S. outlets on January 15 reported that delegations from Russia and Ukraine are discussing protocols to safeguard nuclear facilities from potential attacks during these clandestine meetings. Moscow has repeatedly accused Kyiv of targeting nuclear power plants in Zaporizhzhia and Kursk provinces, allegations Ukraine denies.
Ukrainian officials, speaking anonymously, have suggested that the talks primarily center on prisoner exchanges and the repatriation of Ukrainian children reportedly taken to Russia. Kyiv alleges that Moscow has unlawfully detained nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children since the conflict began, with fewer than 400 returned so far. Russia denies these claims, stating it relocated children from conflict zones for their safety.
The two countries have exchanged prisoners multiple times throughout the conflict. On January 15, both confirmed the latest exchange, with each side releasing 25 military personnel.
The Kremlin has not commented on reports of ongoing discussions with Ukraine in Qatar. The Washington Post previously reported in August 2024 that Russia and Ukraine had engaged in talks in Qatar about halting attacks on each other's energy infrastructure. However, those negotiations reportedly collapsed after Ukraine launched a cross-border offensive in Russia's Kursk province earlier that month.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed such reports at the time, calling them "rumors." Similarly, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that no discussions on "security mechanisms" for critical infrastructure had taken place. She emphasized that dialogue between the two nations ceased in spring 2022 after peace talks in Istanbul broke down, a collapse Moscow blamed on Western interference.
Ukraine has refused direct talks with Russia since late 2022, when President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree prohibiting such engagements. In an interview published on January 15, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga confirmed that the ban remains in effect, adding that Kyiv would consult with Washington before considering any moves toward dialogue.
Moscow has consistently stated its willingness to negotiate without preconditions, provided the framework agreed upon during the 2022 Istanbul talks is respected. According to a draft agreement released by Russia, Ukraine had agreed to maintain a neutral status and accept limitations on hosting foreign military assets.
(Sources: RT, Washington Post, New Voice of Ukraine)
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