Russia sees "no possibility" of territorial swaps with Ukraine. We will welcome peace on our terms – Kremlin
The head of the Russian delegation and aide to the Kremlin leader, Vladimir Medinsky, said Russia sees "no possibility" of territorial swaps with Ukraine and that the "security zone" along the border will expand.
He told Russian media this, Censor.NET reports.
No territorial swaps
Medinsky said the subject of possible territorial swaps between Russia and Ukraine is "periodically floated from various quarters", but there is no possibility of this happening:
"Following Ukraine’s invasion of the Kursk region, a decision was made, as the president has said repeatedly, to create a security zone along the border with Russia. This zone is now quite substantial; it is expanding and will continue to expand. I see no possibility of swapping these territories."
He also added: "Where the Russian flag has been raised, it must not be lowered."
"Firmness" instead of concessions
Medinsky recalled the Russian leader’s words: "Wherever our Russian soldier has set foot, that is ours."
"As the entire history of Russia has shown, every time we expressed a willingness to make concessions or compromises that were unfavourable to us, to make a conspicuous show of peaceful intentions and conciliation, we received both war and disgrace from our adversary. Every time we take steps towards our adversaries to avoid losses, we ultimately end up suffering even greater hardship. But whenever Russia showed firmness and confidence in its own strength, a period of lasting peace, tranquillity and development followed. Both for us and for our neighbours," the Russian insisted.
European security and "peace"
According to Medinsky, the European security architecture was discussed in Abu Dhabi. The aim, in his view, is to create a system "imbued with the spirit of Helsinki 1975" that reflects present-day realities and is "fair".
If this succeeds, he said, Russia will ensure peace in Europe "for decades, perhaps even centuries".
"All the objectives we set will be achieved. We will only be satisfied when we win and sign a peace agreement on our terms," Medinsky added.
Medinsky headed the Russian delegation at talks on Ukraine, which resumed this week in Abu Dhabi for the first time since February. Ukrainian troops entered Russia’s Kursk region in August 2024. In June 2024, the Russian dictator said that Ukraine must withdraw its troops from four regions and abandon its bid to join NATO before negotiations could begin.
Trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi
- On 10 November, US-mediated talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations took place in the UAE. This was the first such meeting since February 2026.
- Before meeting with Russia, Ukraine held talks with representatives of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, NATO and the European Commission. US special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner also joined those talks.
- The Ukrainian delegation, led by Foreign Intelligence Service chief Rustem Umerov, includes Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov, Servant of the People faction leader Davyd Arakhamiia, First Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Serhii Kyslytsia and Deputy Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Vadym Skibitskyi.
- The Russian delegation is led by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. Representatives of two directorates of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Igor Kostyukov and Yuri Zhigarlovsky, and Russian Deputy Foreign Ministers Sergei Ryabkov and Mikhail Galuzin will also take part in the meeting in Abu Dhabi.
- NATO is represented in Abu Dhabi by Chief of Staff Geoffrey van Leeuwen, who is the chief strategic adviser to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
- The second day of talks, on 11 November, lasted just under two hours.
- US special representative Jared Kushner said he would meet with Putin on 12 November, followed by a meeting with Zelenskyy.
