Russia and Ukraine are set to engage in US-brokered negotiations on February 17-18 in Geneva, marking another attempt to address the ongoing conflict that has persisted for four years. The announcement came from both nations, as they prepare for a new stage in the arduous discussions aimed at reaching a resolution for the war that escalated following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
US President Donald Trump has been vocal about his desire to end the hostilities, which have already seen two prior discussions in Abu Dhabi fail to lead to significant progress. While both sides have described previous rounds as productive, they remain deeply divided on pivotal issues concerning territory.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the next round of talks will retain a trilateral format involving Russia, the US, and Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of this meeting in Geneva. Peskov revealed that Vladimir Medinsky, a former culture minister known for his hardline stance, will lead the Russian delegation. This marks a strategic shift from earlier negotiations, which were steered by senior military officials.
On the Ukrainian side, top negotiator Rustem Umerov, who heads Ukraine’s National Security Council, affirmed preparations for the meeting, noting he will be accompanied by key officials including Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of staff to President Zelensky and a former intelligence chief.
The tension surrounding these talks has escalated following an assassination attempt on the deputy of Russia’s primary negotiator in Moscow, an incident attributed by Russia to Ukrainian orchestration. This development has heightened frustrations and may influence the approach of both parties in Geneva.
In the run-up to the negotiations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has engaged with European and US officials in Munich, seeking to solidify support from allies at a crucial juncture. His agenda also included a visit to a Ukrainian-German drone production facility, emphasizing the ongoing military preparations amid the conflict.
Recent days have seen a continuation of Russian assaults on Ukrainian cities, resulting in civilian casualties and targeted attacks on infrastructure, particularly in Odesa. These military actions underline the tension in the lead-up to the upcoming talks.
Russia’s demands for territorial concessions remain a sticking point, with the Kremlin insisting on a Ukrainian withdrawal from the Donetsk region—an area where Ukrainian forces maintain control of some territories. Ukraine has firmly rejected these terms, insisting on robust Western security guarantees that would safeguard against any renewed Russian offensive after a potential ceasefire.
The ongoing war has had a devastating toll, claiming hundreds of thousands of soldiers’ lives and tens of thousands of civilians, making it the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II. Currently, Russia controls approximately one-fifth of Ukraine, including Crimea, annexed in 2014, along with regions held by pro-Moscow separatists before the latest invasion began.
