Recent reports regarding a clandestine meeting in Baku between former high-ranking officials from Germany and Russia have been dismissed by the Ukrainian government as entirely insignificant. According to RBC-Ukraine, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi stated that these backdoor discussions carry zero weight in the actual peace process.
Tykhyi emphasized that the participants of this meeting represent political figures of the past who have no authority to speak on behalf of anyone involved in the current conflict. He explicitly noted that the Ukrainian side had not authorized these individuals, and the impact of such gatherings on diplomatic reality is practically non-existent. The meeting, which reportedly included former aides to Angela Merkel and representatives of the Russian establishment, appears to be an attempt by Moscow to create a false sense of diplomatic activity.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev confirmed the meeting, which allegedly focused on ways to end the war. However, from Kyiv’s perspective, such efforts are distractions. Ukraine maintains that peace negotiations can only be legitimate when they are transparent, involve the Ukrainian government, and adhere to international law. Attempts to bypass official channels are viewed as part of Russia’s ongoing effort to fracture Western unity.
As the war continues, the Kremlin frequently attempts to utilize marginal, retired Western politicians to promote narratives that favor Russian interests. These initiatives serve to confuse international public opinion rather than achieve a lasting peace. For the international community, the focus remains on sustaining military and financial support for Ukraine. It is crucial to distinguish between genuine diplomatic mediation and low-level, unauthorized dialogues designed for optics rather than substance. Ukraine continues to advance its own Peace Formula, which remains the only viable framework for ending the Russian aggression effectively and permanently.