Diplomatic Efforts Continue as Ukraine and Russia Prepare for Talks in Switzerland

Senior officials from Ukraine and Russia are set to convene in Geneva, Switzerland, for a second round of discussions aimed at addressing ongoing tensions and the prolonged conflict resulting from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This meeting, taking place over two days, follows a previous round of talks held in Abu Dhabi earlier this month, which featured representatives from Washington, Kyiv, and Moscow. Despite these renewed efforts to facilitate diplomacy, experts remain skeptical about the possibility of significant breakthroughs, particularly given Russia's steadfast demands surrounding territorial claims. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov revealed that this week's talks would tackle a wider array of issues beyond the military ceasefire proposals that were the focus in Abu Dhabi. Leading the Russian delegation is Vladimir Medinsky, a hardline advisor to President Vladimir Putin, who has previously expressed doubt over Ukrainian sovereignty. He will be joined by Igor Kostyukov, head of Russian military intelligence, and Mikhail Galuzin, the deputy foreign minister, along with around two dozen officials. Ukraine is expected to send a similar delegation as before, headed by Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council. This is the first time the discussions will be held on European soil, marking a notable shift after previous rounds in the Middle East. The decision to choose Switzerland is believed to be influenced by Washington, as former aides to President Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, plan to engage separately with Iranian officials in Geneva later this week. In a recent statement, Trump suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should take decisive action to end the conflict, implying that Ukraine has been a barrier to reaching a peace deal. Conversely, Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted uncertainty regarding Russia's intentions and genuine commitment to ending the war. Ahead of the Geneva meeting, President Zelenskyy has made it clear that Ukraine will not concede territory in the Donbas region, a central demand from Moscow. He cited previous Russian land grabs as cautionary tales and reiterated that giving in would be a grave mistake. Zelenskyy noted that Russia has suffered significant losses in personnel during the conflict but has been largely unsuccessful in its territorial ambitions, stating, "Can you imagine that in the 21st century? I'm not sure Putin realizes that." There is little expectation in Kyiv that this latest trilateral dialogue will yield significant political progress. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine's intent to participate constructively in the talks, while acknowledging differences with the U.S. regarding security guarantees. The Trump administration's proposal of support for 15 years contrasts with Ukraine's desire for a long-term commitment of 30 to 50 years. Kyrylo Budanov, head of the presidential office, signaled the seriousness of Ukraine’s position ahead of the negotiations, sharing a photo of his train journey to Geneva with the Ukrainian team, emphasizing the importance of protecting Ukraine's interests. He alluded to historical lessons that need to be drawn from the current situation and how they will influence negotiations. Analysts suggest that the involvement of Medinsky, known for promoting narratives about Ukraine and Russia being historically one entity, indicates that Moscow may not approach the talks in good faith. Olexiy Haran, a professor of comparative politics, noted that there is widespread opposition among Ukrainians to the growing U.S. and Russian pressure for Ukraine to hold presidential elections in the midst of war, highlighting the absence of necessary security conditions. The landscape surrounding the Geneva talks is further complicated by concerns over Moscow's intentions to destabilize Ukraine from within and to leverage the situation to undermine its government’s legitimacy. Haran argues that while political renewal is essential, elections can only take place once peace is restored and proper security conditions exist. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2