The second day of trilateral negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the US in Geneva, aimed at ending the conflict, concluded today after approximately two hours of discussion. Vladimir Medinsky, Russia's chief negotiator, stated, "Things are very difficult, but like a transaction". He added that a new round of talks would take place soon.
Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's chief negotiator, described the discussions as "substantive", noting that the three parties clarified several issues. He further indicated that progress was made in the negotiations, and Ukraine's objective remains a just and lasting peace.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, stated that the negotiations were not easy due to differing positions. The future of territories in eastern Ukraine and the status of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently under Moscow's control, are "sensitive issues" that remain unresolved.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaking at the Munich Security Conference in Germany on 14/2. Photo: AFP
President Zelensky previously accused Russia of attempting to "delay negotiations that could have entered their final stage". He deemed it unfair that US President Donald Trump continuously urged Kyiv, rather than Moscow, to make concessions, asserting that Ukraine would not relinquish territory.
"I hope that is just President Trump's tactic, not an actual decision", Zelensky said in an interview on 18/2.
These remarks followed recent suggestions by Trump that the success of negotiations depended on Ukraine and Zelensky. "Ukraine had better quickly sit down at the negotiating table, that's all I'm telling you", the US President told reporters on Air Force One on 16/2.
According to Zelensky, the White House chief's repeated public calls for Ukraine, instead of Russia, to make concessions were "unfair". He expressed gratitude for the US President's peace efforts but emphasized that he did not experience similar pressure when discussing with US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Regarding territorial matters, President Zelensky stated that any plan requiring Ukraine to cede territory in the Donbas region would be rejected by the populace if put to a referendum.
"Emotionally, the people will never forgive this. Never. They will not forgive me, nor will they forgive America", the Ukrainian leader said, adding that Ukrainians "cannot understand why" they are being asked to give up more land.
On 18/2, Ukraine announced a series of sanctions against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, accusing him of supporting Russia in the conflict in Ukraine. Zelensky also accused Lukashenko of helping Russia evade Western sanctions.
These sanctions are largely symbolic and difficult to enforce in practice. President Lukashenko has not yet commented on this information.
Huyen Le (According to AFP, Axios, Sky News)
