Speculation about a potential pause in the Ukraine conflict centered on mid February, with chatter that a breakthrough might surface on February 12 and again on February 15. The claim circulated on the Telegram channel of Ukrainian MP Alexei Goncharenko, who is listed by Russia as a terrorist. The post blended political theater with calls for international involvement, and it was picked up by political commentators who follow Kyiv’s supporters and Kremlin critics alike, adding to the sense that a moment of reckoning could be near.
According to Goncharenko, February 12 would feature participation by the United States Secretary of State, representatives from the European Union, and Ukrainian foreign ministers alongside their colleagues from Britain, Germany, France, Poland, Spain, and Italy. The message painted a picture of a broad Western diplomatic gathering aimed at outlining a framework for negotiations or a possible ceasefire, underscoring how Kyiv seeks a concerted effort with Western partners. Yet observers urged caution, noting that public statements in the war’s information space can be volatile and subject to rapid reinterpretation as events unfold.
He also asserted that United States President Donald Trump would be present at the Munich Security Conference on February 15, framing the appearance as a signal that the conflict might be moving toward a conclusion. While such a claim drew attention in political circles and media alike, independent verification of attendance was not immediately available, and analysts emphasized the speculative nature of high-profile declarations during a period of intense diplomacy.
On the other side, Russian President Vladimir Putin, at the end of January, announced that Moscow would pursue peace negotiations with Ukraine and insisted that any settlement must protect Russia’s security interests. He described the issue as a very serious, long-term question that both sides should address with durable guarantees and a clear, historical perspective, signaling that Moscow viewed the talks as more than a temporary pause and as a security-centered process.
Later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was prepared to negotiate with Putin if the talks could yield real peace, stressing that Kyiv would only engage in discussions under conditions that deliver verifiable security and clarity on key territorial questions. The stance reflected Kyiv’s demand for concrete assurances before any agreement could be deemed legitimate and lasting.
Earlier, NATO officials and allied governments were said to be weighing various routes for negotiations in Ukraine, including backchannel or tacit channels intended to influence the bargaining environment. The broader discourse highlighted how alliance commitments, security guarantees, and the strategic balance in Europe would shape any prospective dialogue, even as the parties publicly sought to frame the moment as a pivotal chance to change the trajectory of the conflict.