A round of trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, the United States and Russia is taking place in Geneva and is scheduled to conclude on 18 February, Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne reported.
The talks are focused on efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, with security and humanitarian issues at the center of the agenda. The stated goal of the negotiations is to advance steps that could lead to a sustainable peace.
First day concludes, political and military groups to resume
According to Suspilne’s correspondent, the first day of meetings on 17 February has ended. Political and military groups are expected to resume discussions on 18 February, after which statements from the delegations are anticipated.
Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov said at the start of the round that the Ukrainian delegation was operating within a mandate agreed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Umerov said security and humanitarian issues were on the agenda. He thanked the US side for its involvement in the negotiation process and Switzerland for hosting the meeting.
“We are working constructively, in a focused manner and without excessive expectations. Our task is to advance decisions that can bring a sustainable peace closer,” Umerov said.
UK, France, and Germany send advisers
In addition to the Ukrainian, US and Russian delegations, representatives of the United Kingdom and France were present in Geneva, Suspilne reported.
A German government official told Suspilne that the German chancellor’s adviser on foreign and security policy also attended. European advisers participated in a consultative capacity.
The presence of these European representatives marks a notable change from the previous Abu Dhabi rounds, where Europe did not formally participate in the trilateral talks.
Previous talks produced no concrete agreements
Previous trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi on 23-24 January and again on 4-5 February involved Ukraine, the US and Russia in the same trilateral format. The meetings focused on ceasefire arrangements, monitoring hostilities, and potential steps toward peace, but did not produce concrete agreements to halt the war.
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