The White House announced that significant advancements were made during the recent trilateral discussions involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, held in Geneva on February 17 and 18. Caroline Levitt, a spokesperson for the White House, stated that both parties agreed to update their leaders and continue collaborative efforts toward a peace agreement.
Levitt also conveyed President Trump’s sentiment regarding the ongoing conflict, which has persisted for nearly four years. He described the situation as unjust not only for those who have lost their lives in Ukraine and Russia but also for U.S. taxpayers who have provided financial assistance to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the next round of negotiations will again take place in Switzerland. In an interview with Piers Morgan, published on YouTube on February 18, he emphasized the importance of conducting these talks in Europe, although he did not specify a date for the upcoming discussions.
Following the Geneva talks, Zelensky remarked on the progress made in military discussions but noted that sensitive political issues remain unresolved. He stated, “While I heard progress on military matters, the political dialogue showed differing positions. The negotiations were challenging, but we agreed to continue discussions.” He added that more details would emerge upon the return of the Ukrainian delegation.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned that it is “too early” to assess the outcomes of the negotiations. Vladimir Medinsky, Russia’s chief negotiator, described the discussions as “difficult but businesslike,” indicating that further meetings are planned.
These two days of talks marked the third round of trilateral meetings held in the past month, focusing on two major obstacles hindering an end to the conflict: territorial claims and security guarantees. The meetings occurred just a week before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, which has resulted in nearly two million casualties on both sides.
Despite U.S. efforts to mediate a resolution, Russia has shown no inclination to soften its demands, which include Ukraine relinquishing control over parts of the Donbas region. Conversely, Ukraine is insisting on robust security guarantees from the U.S. and European allies to safeguard against future Russian aggression.
Recent negotiations in Geneva between Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia have yielded notable progress, particularly in military discussions. However, significant political challenges remain as both sides prepare for future talks.