Geneva: The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday accused Russia of attempting to "drag out negotiations despite the possibility of reaching their final stages," stressing that Moscow is seeking to buy time rather than accelerate a settlement.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Zelenskyy commented on the trilateral Ukrainian-Russian-American talks held in Geneva, emphasizing Europe's crucial role in ensuring successful agreements. He expressed confidence in Kyiv's partners to secure a constructive negotiation track leading to a "dignified result." The meetings included bilateral discussions between Ukraine and the United States, as well as multilateral sessions involving representatives from Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, focusing on military and military-political issues.
Zelenskyy highlighted that the Ukrainian delegation was tasked with making the talks productive to enhance the chances of reaching peaceful solutions. The primary focus of today's agenda was on the humanitarian track, with particular attention to prisoner exchange and civilian release.
The Ukrainian delegation also engaged with European representatives from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland, stressing the essential role of the Europeans. Zelenskyy underscored the importance of continued close coordination between Kyiv and Washington, seeking real security guarantees and lasting peace, which remains a top priority for Ukraine.
Russian negotiating delegation head Vladimir Medinsky described the talks as "tough but businesslike," announcing a new round of negotiations would occur "in the near future," without specifying a date.
The closed-door trilateral talks, part of US mediation efforts, included attendance from advisers of Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy. Participants in the negotiations were the US president special envoy Steve Witkoff, Russian presidential representative Vladimir Medinsky, and head of the Ukrainian delegation and Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov.
Despite claims of "tangible progress" from different delegations, disagreements persist over the fate of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. Russia continues to demand full control over the region and the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from areas still under their control in Donetsk, while Ukraine insists on maintaining its territorial integrity.