The most recent round of US-mediated talks between Vladimir Putin’s aides and Volodymyr Zelensky’s team ended in Geneva on Wednesday, February 18, without any significant progress, as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine nears its fourth anniversary next week.
After prior conversations in Abu Dhabi that officials characterized as fruitful but equivocal, the Switzerland meeting was the third round of direct talks the United States has arranged this year. There were few hopes for major breakthroughs in Geneva.
“The negotiations were difficult.”
After the meetings concluded, Zelensky commented over the phone with his negotiating team from Kyiv, “The conversations were not simple.”
He said Moscow was continue its military attack while stalling.
Regarding Russia’s strategy, Zelensky characterized it as “trying to drag out negotiations.”
Zelensky said there had been considerable progress on military-related talks despite severe political differences, especially regarding the details of a possible ceasefire.
Vladimir Medinsky, the chairman of the Russian delegation, called the negotiations “tough but businesslike.”
Speaking cautiously, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that it was “too early” to predict the results. He also mentioned that Putin had been informed on Geneva’s developments.
There will be another round of negotiations, both parties affirmed.
US to assist in overseeing any ceasefire
Zelensky described the military talks as âconstructive,â with both parties looking at how a potential truce could be monitored.
He told reporters in a voicemail that “monitoring will surely be carried out with involvement of the American side.”
Steve Witkoff, the ambassador for US President Donald Trump, stated that Washington’s diplomatic efforts had “brought about considerable progress,” although he did not provide any details.
Washington would play a key role in implementing any potential agreements on the ground if the United States were involved in any ceasefire monitoring structure.
The fighting goes on.
Fighting continued along the approximately 1,250-kilometer front line even while negotiations took place.
Russian drone attacks in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia reportedly killed a mother and injured two children, an 18-month-old toddler and a six-year-old girl, hours after the first day of discussions.
Russia launched 126 long-range drones and one ballistic missile against Ukrainian territory overnight, according to Ukraine’s air force.
The ongoing attacks highlight the disconnect between the realities of the battlefield and diplomatic conversations.
Europe’s “indispensable” role
According to Zelensky, during the Geneva negotiations, representatives from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland met with Ukrainian and American negotiators.
“Europe’s involvement in the process is essential,” he declared.
Since the conclusion of the war directly affects both the security of the continent and Russia’s larger goals, European leaders have insisted on participating in peace initiatives.
Territorial and NATO divisions
There are still significant differences on important political matters, especially the status of Russian-occupied eastern Ukrainian areas.
Putin has stuck to the major goals he stated when he began the invasion on February 24, 2022:
Ukraine must give up its plans to join NATO.
-There must be a major reduction in the Ukrainian military.
-The preservation of Russian culture and language is essential.
-Kyiv must leave four areas in the east. Moscow asserts but lacks complete authority over
However, Zelensky has rejected giving up territory.
He has repeatedly declared, “Ukraine will not yield land to Russia,” offered a truce, and suggested a face-to-face meeting with Putin.
