A plane with the Russian delegation headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky has already landed in Geneva for negotiations with Ukraine mediated by the U.S. The head of the Ukrainian delegation stated that Kyiv is ready to work.
Representatives of Russia and Ukraine are resuming negotiations in Geneva on Tuesday, February 17, with the mediation of the United States, writes DW. The Ukrainian side wants to focus on humanitarian issues and security guarantees, while Russia is focused on territorial concessions, reports the dpa agency.
A plane with the Russian delegation headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky has already landed in Geneva, reported the Interfax agency. According to its data, the flight lasted more than eight hours: the plane flew over Turkey, the eastern Mediterranean, and Italy.
Umerov: The Team is Ready to Work
The delegation from Kyiv, headed by the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine Rustem Umerov, arrived in Geneva on February 16.
"The agenda is agreed upon, the team is ready to work. We expect constructive work and substantive meetings on security and humanitarian issues - to move towards a dignified and sustainable peace," Umerov wrote on Telegram.
Last week, he stated that one of the goals of the next round of negotiations would be to achieve a partial ceasefire to protect Ukraine's energy systems.
Trump: Ukraine Should Quickly Sit at the Negotiating Table
U.S. President Donald Trump previously urged Kyiv to quickly reach an agreement with Moscow. "Ukraine should quickly sit at the negotiating table," Trump said on February 16 to reporters aboard the presidential aircraft Air Force One.
The Composition of the Russian Delegation is Expanded
Press Secretary of the President Dmitry Peskov stated on February 16 that the composition of the Russian delegation for consultations on Ukraine in Geneva would be expanded. Peskov specified that the delegation would be headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. The delegation also includes Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Galuzin and the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Igor Kostyukov. The group consists of more than 20 people, writes dpa.
The Kyiv delegation - in addition to Umerov - includes the head of Volodymyr Zelensky's office Kyrylo Budanov, Deputy Sergey Kyslytsya, Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate Vadym Skibitsky, as well as the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andriy Hnatov and the head of the ruling party's faction "Servant of the People" Davyd Arakhamia.
The dialogue is expected to last until February 18 in Geneva. The two previous rounds of negotiations mediated by the U.S. in Abu Dhabi did not yield a breakthrough.
