Ukrainian officials have refuted reports suggesting that President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed plans for an extended conflict during a recent meeting with advisors. This denial comes in the wake of a closed-door conversation that was allegedly characterized by the need to prepare for three more years of war and the failure of peace negotiations.
Dmytro Lytvyn, an advisor to President Zelensky, stated on February 20 that no such discussion took place, labeling the reports as false. The claims originated from journalist Boyan Panchevski of the Wall Street Journal, who mentioned the supposed conversation during a podcast. However, he did not provide a source for this information, which has been circulated by various media outlets, including Russian sources.
The timing of these reports coincides with the conclusion of a recent round of trilateral negotiations involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. President Zelensky announced plans to hold a meeting on February 20 to discuss the outcomes of these talks with returning members of the Ukrainian delegation.
In an interview released on February 18, Zelensky indicated that the next round of negotiations would take place in Switzerland, although he did not specify a date. He emphasized the importance of conducting these discussions in Europe.
Following the Geneva talks, which occurred on February 17 and 18, Zelensky noted some progress on military issues but acknowledged that political discussions remained challenging. He remarked, “While I heard progress on military matters, the political dialogue revealed differing positions. The negotiations were not easy, but we agreed to continue discussions.” The president indicated that further details would emerge upon the delegation’s return to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated it was “too early” to assess the results of the negotiations. Russian chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky described the discussions as “difficult but businesslike,” indicating that future meetings are anticipated.
The White House also reported significant progress during the trilateral talks, with spokesperson Caroline Levitt stating that both sides agreed to inform their leaders and continue working towards a peace agreement. However, specific details of the discussions have not been disclosed.
The Geneva meetings were the third round of trilateral discussions held over the past month, focusing on two primary obstacles to ending the conflict: territorial claims and security guarantees. These negotiations 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. mediation efforts, Russia has shown little willingness to compromise on its demands, including Ukraine’s relinquishment of territories in the Donbas region. Conversely, Ukraine insists on strong security guarantees from the U.S. and European allies to protect against future aggression.
European intelligence officials express skepticism regarding the likelihood of a peace agreement by 2026. Sources from five European intelligence agencies indicated that the Kremlin appears uninterested in a swift resolution to the conflict, suggesting that Russia may be using negotiations as leverage to ease sanctions and secure trade agreements. One source characterized the Geneva talks as a “theatrical performance.”
Ukrainian officials have denied claims that President Zelensky discussed plans for a prolonged conflict during recent negotiations. This denial follows reports of a closed-door meeting that suggested the need to prepare for three more years of war, amid ongoing trilateral discussions with the U.S. and Russia.
Source: Wall Street Journal