Geneva prepares for key Ukraine meeting
World
A new round of negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine is set for February 17–18 in Geneva. The meeting will be held in a trilateral format involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, with Vladimir Medinsky leading the Russian delegation.
The next round of talks on settling the war in Ukraine is scheduled for February 17–18 in Geneva, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. According to him, the meeting will take place in a trilateral format involving representatives of Russia, Ukraine, and the United States.
The Russian delegation will be led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. During earlier rounds of talks in Abu Dhabi in January and February, the Russian side was headed by Igor Kostyukov, chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously said a new meeting could take place in mid-February. Sources initially mentioned Abu Dhabi or Miami as possible venues, but Geneva was ultimately chosen despite earlier Russian doubts about Switzerland’s neutrality.
According to Western media reports, the peace process has been complicated by disagreements over territorial issues. Russia is demanding concessions, while the United States has indicated it is not ready to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine until a ceasefire agreement is reached.
Among the topics expected at the upcoming meeting is a U.S. proposal to create a free economic zone in the Donbas region. However, Zelensky noted that both Kyiv and Moscow view the idea with skepticism and agreed to revisit the issue at the next round.
U.S. officials hope the Geneva talks will bring some progress, although diplomatic efforts are complicated by Washington’s parallel negotiations on other international issues.
The Russian delegation will be led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. During earlier rounds of talks in Abu Dhabi in January and February, the Russian side was headed by Igor Kostyukov, chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously said a new meeting could take place in mid-February. Sources initially mentioned Abu Dhabi or Miami as possible venues, but Geneva was ultimately chosen despite earlier Russian doubts about Switzerland’s neutrality.
According to Western media reports, the peace process has been complicated by disagreements over territorial issues. Russia is demanding concessions, while the United States has indicated it is not ready to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine until a ceasefire agreement is reached.
Among the topics expected at the upcoming meeting is a U.S. proposal to create a free economic zone in the Donbas region. However, Zelensky noted that both Kyiv and Moscow view the idea with skepticism and agreed to revisit the issue at the next round.
U.S. officials hope the Geneva talks will bring some progress, although diplomatic efforts are complicated by Washington’s parallel negotiations on other international issues.
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