Zelenskyy says he has no alternative to peace negotiating group, but is open to proposals

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he currently has no alternative to the existing negotiating team, which works daily with other countries' national security advisers on the diplomatic process, security guarantees and economic issues.

Source: Zelenskyy at a meeting with journalists, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine

Quote: "For now, I don't have an alternative group. There is a group that I have approved, which is working and is familiar with all the national security advisers of other countries. They discuss the diplomatic process, security guarantees, the economy and other issues with them."

Details: Zelenskyy added that he is open to proposals regarding alternative candidates.

Quote: "In the media, you often hear politicians and diplomats who supposedly know how to end the war properly. Especially those with extensive experience – 20 to 30 years. Honestly, I'm very open to hearing them out. No irony. But what they supposedly 'know' doesn't seem to have helped them much when they were in office."

Background: In November 2025, Zelenskyy approved a new composition of Ukraine's delegation to participate in negotiations to end Russia's war against Ukraine. Rustem Umierov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, replaced Andrii Yermak, former head of the President's Office, as head of the delegation.

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