The ongoing negotiations to conclude the conflict in Ukraine are progressing on multiple fronts, yet significant political challenges remain, particularly concerning territorial disputes and the necessary political will to reach an agreement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that new consultations between Ukrainian and American representatives are scheduled to take place shortly. He stated, “This morning, I received a briefing from the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umerov, who is en route to Switzerland. Tomorrow, there will be a bilateral meeting between Ukraine and the United States.”
Zelensky clarified that the discussions will focus on an economic document while Ukraine is simultaneously preparing its own comprehensive plan. He emphasized, “We are also working on a 20-point plan, security guarantees, and a prosperity package.”
The President acknowledged that Washington is keen on a swift resolution to the conflict, but he cautioned that the complexities involved are more intricate than they may appear. He remarked, “We understand that the Americans want to end this war as quickly as possible, but, in my opinion, the difficulties we face are not limited to military considerations.”
Additionally, Zelensky mentioned that he has discussed with partners the possibility of a trilateral dialogue format involving military representatives from Ukraine, the US, and Russia to oversee a potential ceasefire. He noted, “Generals from Ukraine, the United States, and Russia have talked about how to monitor the ceasefire when it is established.”
According to Zelensky, the primary obstacles to progress remain rooted in political decisions. He stated, “The issue of political will to stop this war and the question of territories are the difficulties we face.” He indicated that upcoming negotiations could take place in early March, but he tempered expectations for immediate breakthroughs. “I am not sure that we will have a clear result regarding land and territories tomorrow… these issues, in my opinion, need to be elevated to the level of leaders,” he added.
Humanitarian concerns, including prisoner exchanges, also remain critical topics in the negotiations. Zelensky reiterated, “We are where we are. But I am not confident that we will have a clear outcome on land and territories, for instance, because these matters, I repeat, need to be addressed at the leadership level.”
On February 21, President Zelensky spoke with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, informing him about preparations for a fourth round of negotiations and potential shifts in the positions of the parties involved. He indicated that the next meeting could again take place in Geneva within the next ten days, following the third round of trilateral talks held there on February 17-18.
Reports from Axios indicate that the political aspect of the consultations has reached an impasse due to the stance of the head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky. Conversely, CNN reported “significant progress” in the military subgroup’s work, particularly regarding ceasefire mechanisms. Zelensky previously stated that the United States would primarily oversee monitoring efforts in the event of a cessation of hostilities. However, he confirmed that no agreement has yet been reached concerning the situation in Donbas.
Negotiations between Ukraine and the US are set to continue as President Zelensky outlines ongoing challenges related to political will and territorial disputes. Key discussions will focus on both economic and humanitarian issues, with a potential trilateral dialogue involving military representatives from Ukraine, the US, and Russia.