Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that Ukrainian forces have successfully reclaimed territory in the southern region for the first time in two years. This development comes as a significant setback for Russia, which had been preparing a large-scale offensive since late last year.
In an interview with CNN, Zelensky stated, “We initiated operations at the end of the year and regained control over 434 kilometers. This success is not just about land; it primarily concerns people. It represents a major disruption to Russia’s extensive offensive operations. These steps have proven to be very effective.”
He also noted that Russia has been experiencing significant troop losses, estimating around 30,000 to 35,000 casualties per month, largely due to the effective use of various types of drones by Ukrainian forces.
When asked about negotiations involving Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia, Zelensky expressed skepticism about Russia’s willingness to cease hostilities. He remarked, “Putin never intended to stop the war. They feared the actions of President Trump and pressure from America. This is why he pretended to seek negotiations. I remain convinced that America must exert substantial pressure on Putin; otherwise, he will not engage in talks. He only wants ultimatums from us to withdraw from our territory, but that will not satisfy him.”
Zelensky indicated that Ukrainian representatives are urging the U.S. to schedule another trilateral meeting. He mentioned, “The American side has postponed the meeting due to Iran. However, if we genuinely want to end the war, we need to meet. We must engage at both the technical group level and the leadership level. More pressure on Russia is essential. Without these steps, we will not move closer to peace.”
Earlier, Zelensky had mentioned that the next trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia could occur in the middle of the following week, although no specific timing or clear position had been established.
On February 17, a new round of trilateral negotiations took place in Geneva, Switzerland, focusing on ending the conflict. Following the first day of discussions, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov reported that delegations continued their work in smaller groups to address specific issues. He noted that the discussions centered on practical matters and potential solutions.
On the same day, Umerov held a separate meeting in Geneva with representatives from the U.S., France, the UK, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland to discuss the outcomes of the first day of talks and align their approaches for future steps.
Steve Witkoff, a special envoy from the Trump administration, remarked on the “significant progress” achieved during the first day of negotiations, stating that both sides agreed to provide updated information to their leaders and continue working towards a peace agreement.
The second day of talks, February 18, saw intense and substantive discussions, according to Umerov. He revealed that both political and military tracks were explored, including security parameters and mechanisms for implementing potential agreements. He added that several issues were clarified, while others remained for further coordination. The next step would be to reach a consensus for presenting the developed solutions to the presidents.
Russian delegation leader Vladimir Medinsky described this round of negotiations as “difficult but businesslike.”
President Zelensky noted that the parties achieved a level of “constructiveness” regarding ceasefire monitoring, with the U.S. committed to participating in this process.
On the same day, Ukrainian delegation member and head of the President’s Office Kyrylo Budanov stated that a new meeting would take place shortly following the latest trilateral discussions in Geneva.
Ukrainian forces have reclaimed territory in the south, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict with Russia. President Zelensky emphasized the importance of continued pressure on Russia during peace negotiations, which are set to resume soon.