Negotiations involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia resumed in Geneva on February 17, marking the second day of discussions aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Rustem Umerov, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, confirmed the continuation of the talks via a post on Telegram, stating, “The second day of trilateral negotiations has begun in Geneva.”
Umerov elaborated that the discussions are being conducted in focused groups, concentrating on both political and military aspects. He noted, “We are working on clarifying the parameters and mechanics of the decisions discussed yesterday. We are committed to substantive work and will provide updates on the outcomes shortly.”
The current round of negotiations began with an emphasis on security and humanitarian issues, as highlighted by Umerov. However, reports from Axios journalist Barak Ravid indicate that the talks have encountered significant challenges, primarily due to the positions taken by Russia’s chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky.
Prior to the negotiations, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Ukraine to engage in discussions with Russia, suggesting it would be beneficial for them to reach an agreement swiftly. This call for dialogue came shortly after Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine, escalating tensions just hours before the talks commenced.
The situation remains fluid as the delegations work to navigate the complexities of the ongoing conflict and seek a resolution that addresses the concerns of all parties involved.
Negotiations in Geneva involving Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia are ongoing, focusing on security and humanitarian issues. However, significant challenges persist, particularly due to the Russian delegation's stance and recent military escalations.