In an interview with NPR, Ukrainian negotiator Sergiy Kyslytsya said Kyiv now believes it has the leverage to push Russia into serious negotiations, describing Ukraine as holding 'the upper hand.'
Key facts
- Ukrainian negotiator Sergiy Kyslytsya spoke to NPR about the state of talks with Russia.
- Kyslytsya said Ukraine believes it now has the leverage to force Russia into serious negotiations.
- He characterized Kyiv's position as having 'the upper hand.'
- The interview was published by NPR on July 28, 2026.
One of Ukraine’s top negotiators, Sergiy Kyslytsya, told NPR that Kyiv believes it now holds the leverage needed to force Russia into serious negotiations, according to the outlet.
In the interview, Kyslytsya explained why Ukraine considers itself to have what he described as ‘the upper hand’ in the current stage of talks with Russia. His comments were published by NPR on July 28, 2026.
The remarks frame Ukraine’s negotiating posture at a moment when Kyiv is signaling confidence in its position. According to NPR, Kyslytsya laid out the reasoning behind Ukraine’s belief that it can press Russia toward meaningful discussions.
As one of Ukraine’s leading negotiators, Kyslytsya’s assessment offers a window into how Kyiv is approaching the diplomatic track. The interview centered on the leverage Ukraine believes it can bring to bear on Russia.
NPR presented the interview as an explanation from the Ukrainian side of why it feels able to shape the terms of any serious negotiation. The full details of that reasoning were laid out in Kyslytsya’s conversation with the outlet.
Why it matters
How each side assesses its own leverage can shape whether and how peace negotiations move forward. A public claim by a top Ukrainian negotiator that Kyiv holds 'the upper hand' signals confidence that could influence the diplomatic dynamics between Ukraine and Russia.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Sergiy Kyslytsya?
According to NPR, Sergiy Kyslytsya is one of Ukraine's top negotiators. He spoke with the outlet about Ukraine's position in talks with Russia.
What did the Ukrainian negotiator claim?
He told NPR that Ukraine now believes it has the leverage to force Russia into serious negotiations, describing Kyiv's position as having 'the upper hand.'
When was the interview published?
NPR published the interview on July 28, 2026.