On February 17-18, 2026, a new round of negotiations regarding the end of the war in Ukraine will take place in Geneva. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the delegation from the Russian Federation will be headed by Vladimir Medinsky, who is an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Peskov noted that the negotiation process will take place in a trilateral format between Ukraine, the USA, and Russia. This round of negotiations will continue the discussions that began earlier in February in Abu Dhabi.
Background and Current Situation
Previously, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the readiness of the Ukrainian side to meet with the Russian delegation. According to the advisor to the President of Ukraine, Dmitry Lytvyn, organizational issues regarding the participation of the Ukrainian delegation are currently being resolved.
It is worth noting that Medinsky, who was previously the Minister of Culture of Russia, is known for his attempts to shape Russian ideology in a historical context, particularly on topics related to Ukraine. His involvement has been associated with ideological campaigns in occupied territories.
Expectations from the Meeting
Experts note that the recent negotiations in Abu Dhabi demonstrated intentions to restore military dialogue between the parties. Peskov emphasized the importance of quickly achieving results and ending the conflict.
Additionally, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andriy Sybiga, highlighted that Medinsky's participation in the negotiations could indicate a change in Russia's approach to a peaceful dialogue.
Furthermore, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed criticism towards the Russian delegation, stating that recent actions by the Russian Federation reflect a lack of genuine dialogue.
As it appears, the negotiations in Geneva could become a decisive stage in the humanitarian and military resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.
