The result of the negotiations held in Geneva between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States is insufficient, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged on Wednesday evening, LETA reports citing UNN.
He emphasized that further meetings are necessary — preferably in February — with the participation of European countries.
Zelensky made this statement after a conversation with the Ukrainian delegation that participated in the negotiations in Geneva.
"Today we discussed in detail several times with our team during the negotiations in Geneva. This was the second day of meetings — both in a trilateral format and in other formats. Ukraine is interested in the outcome. As of today, we cannot say that the result is sufficient," Zelensky said.
"The military communicated seriously and substantively on a number of issues. Sensitive political issues, questions of possible compromises, and the necessity of a leaders' meeting have not yet been sufficiently addressed. We are counting on the next meeting, and it would be right if it took place in February," Zelensky said.
The president noted that it is important for representatives of European countries — France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, as well as the host country of the negotiations — Switzerland, to participate in the next talks.
"It is we in Ukraine who always promote the position that Europe should be a participant in the process. I want to thank the United States for this position being heard. I also instructed the delegation to discuss humanitarian issues — exchanges of prisoners of war are necessary, as well as the release of civilians. We are seeking information about every person and are always working to bring our people back — so that Ukrainians return home. Every exchange matters," Zelensky added.
Ukraine and Russia held a separate meeting after the trilateral negotiations
Representatives of Ukraine and Russia held a separate meeting on Wednesday in Geneva after the trilateral negotiations involving the United States, the Ukrainian Public Broadcasting Company reports, citing the press secretary of the head of the Ukrainian delegation, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov, Diana Davityan, as reported by LETA citing UKRAINSKA PRAVDA/DW.
The meeting included Umerov, head of the Russian delegation Vladimir Medinsky, and member of the Ukrainian delegation David Arakhamia, head of the Servant of the People party faction in the Ukrainian parliament.
Medinsky confirmed to Russian media that he met with representatives of Ukraine behind closed doors, but did not disclose the content of the negotiations.
For his part, advisor to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on communication issues, Dmytro Litvin, emphasized to journalists that the meeting of Ukrainian representatives with Medinsky "should not be considered a separate format in any way."
"This person himself expressed a desire to meet additionally; there were certain clarifying points regarding what was discussed earlier. Nothing special. The delegation will report all details to the president already in Kyiv, and we will inform about it," Litvin noted.
When the head of the Russian delegation addressed the Ukrainian representatives, part of the Ukrainian delegation had already left. After that, it was decided that Umerov and Arakhamia would talk to Medinsky, the advisor to Zelensky reported.
"This was not planned; in the end, there was nothing substantial in it, and the request is — do not make Medinsky into something he is not, as if he represents something special or parallel," Litvin emphasized.
