Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with the Ukrainian delegation following discussions in Geneva, which he described as constructive despite ongoing challenges. The talks, lasting one and a half hours, focused on the outcomes of trilateral negotiations held in Switzerland.
Zelensky noted that all parties acknowledged the importance of U.S. involvement in monitoring any potential ceasefire. He stated, “If there is an end to the war, the Americans will primarily oversee the ceasefire monitoring. I believe this is a significant achievement that our team has brought today.”
Additionally, the President highlighted progress in humanitarian discussions, particularly regarding the exchange of prisoners. He remarked, “It is too early to speak of positive outcomes, but we have found constructive avenues. In the coming days, we will determine the details of the exchange, including the quantities and timing of Ukrainian and Russian military personnel involved.”
However, Zelensky expressed concerns about the lack of constructive dialogue within the political subgroup, particularly regarding the issues surrounding Donbas and territorial disputes. He acknowledged that no substantial resolutions had been reached in this area.
The parties agreed to reconvene within ten days, likely in Geneva, to continue their discussions. Zelensky expressed gratitude for the meeting and the role of the U.S. in facilitating the talks. He stated, “Achieving any agreements on ceasefire monitoring and a potential exchange is commendable, especially concerning the exchange process. It is also a fact that there is currently no positive outlook on territorial matters, and we must recognize that.”
In a message on his Telegram channel, Zelensky indicated that U.S. representatives are working diligently to ensure the negotiations remain constructive. He thanked his team for their clear communication and patience in discussions with the Russian side, which he described as often challenging.
The Geneva talks, which took place over two days on February 17 and 18, represent the third round of trilateral meetings held in the past month. The discussions centered on two major obstacles to ending the conflict: territorial claims and security guarantees.
These meetings occurred just a week before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which has resulted in nearly two million casualties on both sides. Despite U.S. mediation efforts, Russia has shown little willingness to relax its stringent demands, which include Ukraine’s relinquishment of territories in Donbas. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to insist on robust security guarantees from the U.S. and European allies to safeguard against future aggression.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported on the outcomes of recent trilateral negotiations in Geneva, highlighting some progress in humanitarian discussions while acknowledging ongoing challenges regarding territorial disputes. The parties plan to reconvene within ten days to continue their discussions.