(UKRAINE – DECEMBER 2025) – Talks between the United States and Russia over Ukraine have been described as largely unproductive and, according to former Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk, a “sham” designed to serve the Kremlin’s interests rather than achieve meaningful progress. Yatseniuk warned that the Russian dictator is employing classic KGB-style tactics to influence US President Donald Trump and delay decisive Western action.
Yatseniuk said the recent Moscow negotiations were predictable in their outcome, aimed at postponing sanctions, blocking European plans to use frozen Russian assets for reparations, and driving a wedge between the United States and the European Union. He argued the talks were more beneficial to the Russian dictator than to international partners seeking a resolution.
The former prime minister noted that while the Kremlin presented the talks as constructive, their primary purpose was to buy time, avoid stricter US sanctions, and hinder additional military and financial support for Ukraine. “It is a vicious cycle,” Yatseniuk said, “Putin’s methods are consistent with previous KGB special operations aimed at manipulation rather than resolution.”
European leaders, he added, remain keen to participate in negotiations but face limitations in exerting real influence. One critical issue is the use of frozen Russian assets, estimated between 140 billion and 350 billion euros ($152–$380 billion), as collateral for loans to Ukraine. The European Commission has proposed legal frameworks to mitigate risks, including circumventing potential vetoes by members like Hungary, described by Yatseniuk as a “Trojan horse” for Russian interests.
Yatseniuk emphasised that access to these funds is vital for sustaining Ukraine’s defence and enabling procurement of additional military aid. He expressed cautious optimism that Europe could deliver tangible support, while noting that other international actors, such as China, are unlikely to provide assistance given their alignment with Russian objectives.
The former prime minister also addressed domestic concerns, stating that Ukraine continues to combat corruption even in wartime. Anti-corruption agencies, he said, operate independently and investigate high-level officials, ensuring that any future funds, including those derived from frozen Russian assets, are managed transparently and effectively.
