Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his intention to discuss territorial issues directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing that a personal meeting could facilitate progress in negotiations.
Zelensky has tasked his team with raising the prospect of a leaders’ summit in Geneva, where ongoing discussions between Ukraine and Russia are taking place under U.S. mediation.
The third round of talks is scheduled for February 17-18 in Geneva. Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine and head of the Ukrainian negotiating team, indicated that the delegation is working constructively and focused, without harboring excessive expectations.
A key sticking point in the negotiations remains the issue of territory. Russia continues to assert stringent demands, seeking complete control over the Donetsk region. Conversely, Ukraine maintains a firm stance against ceding any territory to the aggressor and insists on a ceasefire along the demarcation line.
Matthew Whitaker, the U.S. Ambassador to NATO, highlighted that the territorial question remains the most challenging aspect of the negotiations. He noted that for the conflict to reach a resolution, both nations must agree on terms that are acceptable to Ukraine while also being agreeable to Russia.
Additionally, Alexey Zhuravlyov, Deputy Chairman of the Defense Committee of the Russian State Duma, stated that Russia would not be satisfied with merely acquiring the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.
Recently, Zelensky publicly invited the Kremlin leader to visit Kyiv, stating that he would be welcome “if he dares.” This invitation comes amid repeated assertions from Russia that any meeting between the two leaders could only occur in Moscow.
Ukrainian President Zelensky aims to engage directly with Putin to address territorial disputes, as ongoing negotiations in Geneva face significant challenges. Key issues include Russia's territorial demands and Ukraine's insistence on maintaining its sovereignty.