Ukraine's Ongoing Backchannels with Russia Amidst War

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Ukraine has severed formal diplomatic ties with Moscow. However, various unofficial communication channels have emerged, primarily for humanitarian purposes and negotiations. Ukrainian political analyst Ihor Reiterovych emphasized the necessity of maintaining some form of communication, stating, "Even between countries at war, there are issues that require people who can still talk."

Kyiv Independent

Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has played a significant role in facilitating dialogue between Ukraine and Russia. Initially involved in peace talks in 2022, Abramovich was described by Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Ukraine's presidential office, as an "extremely effective mediator." His involvement was so crucial that President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly requested that Washington refrain from sanctioning him to continue his mediation efforts. Abramovich's role has since shifted towards humanitarian matters, particularly in prisoner-of-war exchanges.

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Ukraine's military intelligence has established a direct channel for prisoner exchanges, which began in the early weeks of the invasion. This channel was initiated when a Ukrainian officer, Dmytro Usov, used a phone from a deceased Russian soldier to contact a Russian commander. This improvised communication evolved into a structured backchannel, later expanded with assistance from Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, facilitating significant prisoner swaps.

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In May 2023, a new direct communication channel was attempted between Ukrainian and Russian officials, led by then-Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky. Despite initial confirmations of communication, the talks yielded no substantial political progress. Critics, including lawmaker Oleksandr Merezhko, argued that the Kremlin's choice of Medinsky as negotiator indicated a lack of seriousness in pursuing meaningful negotiations.

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Amidst these backchannels, a corruption scandal involving Ukraine's nuclear monopoly, Energoatom, has surfaced. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) revealed that individuals linked to Energoatom maintained connections with Russian officials, allegedly transferring funds to Moscow. This situation raises concerns about the integrity of communication channels and the potential for internal sabotage against Ukraine's interests.

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Despite the existence of these backchannels, the effectiveness of communication remains limited. Merezhko noted that the Kremlin often uses negotiations as a propaganda tool, failing to adhere to agreements. Looking ahead, Reiterovych suggested that for any meaningful negotiations to occur, empowered teams with the authority to make decisions must be involved. Recent developments indicate that military discussions may be necessary for future agreements, as Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov engaged in talks with U.S. and Russian delegations in Abu Dhabi.

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• “Even between countries at war, there are issues that require people who can still talk.” — Ihor Reiterovych, Political Analyst

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• “They (Umerov and Medinsky) are in contact with each other,” — Vladimir Putin, President of Russia

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• “Merezhko, who previously represented Ukraine in the Trilateral Contact Group with Russia and the OSCE before the start of the full-scale phase of the war, said the answer is simple: the Kremlin uses negotiations as a weapon.” — Oleksandr Merezhko, Lawmaker

Kyiv Independent

While various sources confirm the existence of backchannels, there is ambiguity regarding their effectiveness and the current status of official negotiations. The lack of clarity on whether the Umerov-Medinsky channel is still operational further complicates the situation. Additionally, the implications of the corruption scandal on communication efforts remain unclear.

Kyiv Independent