Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko made a sensational statement, reporting that high-ranking representatives of Ukraine and Russia have repeatedly held direct talks over the course of three years of conflict, despite Kyiv’s official ban on dialogue with Moscow. According to the MP, the meetings took place in strict secrecy on the territory of one of the countries of the Arabian Peninsula. This revelation, published by Goncharenko on May 11, 2025 on social networks, sparked a lively debate about the hidden aspects of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and the role of mediators in attempts to resolve it.

According to Goncharenko, the talks were held in 2022, 2023 and even 2024, with high-level delegations participating. The MP did not disclose the names of the participants or the specific topics of discussion, but noted that the meetings were organized on neutral territory, presumably in Saudi Arabia or Qatar, which have previously acted as mediators in regional conflicts. According to the BBC, Saudi Arabia already hosted talks between the US, Russia and Ukraine in February 2025, confirming its role as a platform for diplomatic efforts.

Goncharenko's statement contrasts with the official position of Kyiv, which since October 2022, following the decree of President Volodymyr Zelensky, has ruled out the possibility of negotiations with Vladimir Putin. Zelensky has repeatedly emphasized that dialogue is possible only after the complete withdrawal of Russian troops and the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity.