Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia aimed at ending hostilities are reportedly nearing a positive outcome, according to Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, in an interview with Bloomberg on April 10.
Budanov noted that both sides recognize the necessity of concluding the war, stating, “They all understand that the war must end. That’s why they are negotiating. I don’t think this will take long.” He acknowledged that until now, both parties have maintained “maximalist” positions during discussions.
He suggested that economic losses might prompt Russia to soften its stance. “Unlike us, they are spending their own money. These are colossal amounts—already in the trillions,” Budanov remarked.
Currently, there have been no public statements from the Russian side indicating a shift in their demands, particularly regarding the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the part of the Donetsk region they control.
“Zelensky must decide today for Ukrainian troops to leave the Donbas territory and exit beyond the administrative borders of the ‘Donetsk People’s Republic,’” stated Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin, on April 1. He claimed that a decision to withdraw Ukrainian Armed Forces from the Donetsk region could “stop the hot phase of this war.”
On March 31, President Zelensky revealed that Russia is demanding Ukraine withdraw its troops from the Donetsk region within two months. He stated, “They say that in two months they will capture eastern Ukraine, seize the Donbas. So there are two months to exit. If Ukraine does not leave, Russia will take the Donbas, and then there will be other conditions.”
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted that following Zelensky’s remarks, the advance of Russian troops in Ukraine has slowed, as Ukrainian forces have been successfully repelling attacks across various front lines.
ISW emphasized that battlefield realities as of late March 2026 further demonstrate that significant Russian gains on the front, let alone a complete victory, are not inevitable.
Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are reportedly making headway, with both sides acknowledging the need to end hostilities. Ukrainian officials highlight economic pressures on Russia as a potential factor for a shift in their negotiating stance, while the situation on the battlefield remains complex.