Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested that the next round of peace talks with Russia should take place in February. He made this statement during an evening address, emphasizing the importance of continued dialogue.
Zelensky noted that he had detailed discussions with his team regarding the negotiations held in Geneva. He remarked, “We had a second day of meetings involving trilateral formats and other discussions. Ukraine is interested in a productive outcome, but as of now, we cannot say the results are sufficient. Military representatives engaged in serious discussions on certain issues, but sensitive political matters and potential compromises have yet to be adequately addressed. We hope for another meeting, and it would be appropriate to hold it in February,” he stated.
The president highlighted the significance of European involvement in the talks, with representatives from France, the UK, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland present as hosts. He expressed gratitude to the United States for acknowledging Ukraine’s position that Europe should participate in the negotiation process.
Zelensky also tasked the delegation with discussing humanitarian issues, including the exchange of prisoners and the release of civilians. “We are actively seeking information on each individual and are committed to bringing our people home. Every exchange matters. I am thankful to our soldiers on the front lines who are conducting operations that enhance our exchange capacity. Their bravery ensures humanitarian outcomes and strengthens our diplomatic position,” he added.
Earlier, Kirill Budanov, head of the President’s Office and a member of the Ukrainian negotiation team, announced that a new meeting would occur soon following the latest trilateral discussions in Geneva.
The first day of the latest round of talks took place on February 17 in Geneva, involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict. Around 7:50 PM, the Ukrainian delegation left the hotel where the negotiations were held. Rustom Umerov, the head of the delegation and Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, reported that after the joint discussions, the teams continued their work in smaller groups focusing on specific topics.
Umerov also held separate meetings with representatives from the US, France, the UK, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland to discuss the outcomes of the first round and synchronize their approaches to future steps. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a shared vision and coordinated actions among Ukraine, the US, and Europe.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff noted that there was “significant progress” after the first day of talks, with both sides agreeing to provide updated information to their leaders and continue working towards a peace agreement.
The second day of negotiations occurred on February 18, during which Umerov described the discussions as “intensive and substantive.” He indicated that both political and military tracks were active, focusing on security parameters and implementation mechanisms for potential agreements. He added that some issues were clarified while others would require further coordination. The next step, according to Umerov, is to achieve the necessary consensus to present the developed solutions to the presidents.
Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky characterized this round of negotiations as “difficult yet businesslike.” President Zelensky stated that the parties achieved a level of “constructiveness” regarding the monitoring of ceasefire conditions, with the US expected to play a definitive role in this process.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a new round of peace talks with Russia in February, following discussions in Geneva. The negotiations involved multiple parties and focused on both military and humanitarian issues, with an emphasis on achieving a constructive outcome.