Kim after Arakhamiia's return to the peace process: «Previously there was visibility, but now there are tough negotiations»

The negotiation process to end Russia's war against Ukraine has now entered a real and much more difficult phase.

This was stated by the head of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration, Vitalii Kim, according to NikVesti.

«There has been significant progress. The parties are now talking. Whereas previously there was the appearance of negotiations, now there are actual negotiations. They are tough. They are diplomatic. They are at a very high level and very complex,» said Vitalii Kim.

He also added that even if he knew the specific results of the negotiations, he would not disclose them. At the same time, the head of the region stressed that despite all the difficulties, progress in the peace negotiations is tangible.

Vitalii Kim's statement came against the backdrop of the return of David Arakhamiia, head of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction, to the peace talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States, which took place in Abu Dhabi.

The Ukrainian delegation in Abu Dhabi on 4 February 2026. Photo: Rustem Umerov

Until then, David Arakhamiia had not been involved in the negotiation process for a long time, although in 2022 he headed the Ukrainian delegation in negotiations with Russia. The last meeting of the delegations took place in late spring 2022.

After that, the head of the President's Office, Andrii Yermak, took on a key role in the negotiations. However, after his resignation, the format of the negotiating group changed. The delegation to the current trilateral negotiations included David Arakhamiia and the newly appointed head of the President's Office, Kyrylo Budanov.

Arakhamiia, who was removed from the official negotiations in 2022, rejoined the process after personnel changes in the Office of the President.