Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed willingness to negotiate with Russia during a joint press conference with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Kyiv on February 3, 2026.
However, the diplomatic opening was immediately complicated by Russian aggression. Zelenskyy accused Russia of violating a US-brokered agreement to pause attacks on energy infrastructure during negotiations. The truce, proposed by President Trump, was supposed to last one week. Russian forces launched a massive strike on Ukrainian energy facilities overnight on February 3 – just four days into the pause – targeting the Darnytskyi Thermal Power Plant in Kyiv and other critical infrastructure.
“Either Russia now considers a week to be four days instead of seven, or they are deliberately betting on war,” Zelenskyy said, noting that temperatures across much of Ukraine had dropped below -20 degrees Celsius.
Rutte visited the destroyed thermal power plant, walking through the rubble with Ukrainian Energy Minister Denis Shmygal. The facility primarily provided heating for civilians and suffered significant damage.
Negotiations are scheduled to resume in Abu Dhabi on February 4-5. Zelenskyy said he would adjust Ukraine’s negotiating team strategy following the Russian strikes. Western analysts suggested the talks could create conditions for ending the war by spring if Russia demonstrates genuine commitment to diplomacy.
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