Geneva talks ahead: ISW says Russia wants more than territory from Ukraine
Head of Russian negotiation delegation in Geneva Vladimir Medinsky (photo: Getty Images)
Russian officials continue to publicly state that they will not be satisfied with control over only parts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Analysts drew attention to a statement by Russian State Duma Defense Committee Deputy Chairperson Alexei Zhuravlyov, who said on February 14 that Russia "will not be satisfied" with only the transfer of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.
According to him, Moscow also seeks a change of power in Kyiv and the removal of what it calls a "Russophobic" government.
ISW notes that such statements are consistent with previous signals from the Kremlin. Russian officials have repeatedly emphasized that postwar Ukraine must be "friendly" to Russia, which effectively means a demand to form a pro-Russian leadership and implement corresponding policies.
Report emphasizes that the Russian side may use negotiations to secure strategic concessions that would weaken Ukrainian statehood and Western influence in the region.
Analysts also note that the Kremlin has repeatedly rejected substantial Western security guarantees for Ukraine and demonstrated commitment to achieving Russia's war aims by military means if it cannot do so diplomatically.
At the same time, on February 14, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that negotiations on ending the war have "narrowed" to the most difficult issues.
According to him, Washington is not yet sure whether Russia is truly ready to end the war, and also does not understand on what terms Moscow is willing to make peace and whether a formula acceptable to both Kyiv and the Kremlin can be found.
Geneva talks: What is known about the new round
The next round of negotiations involving the United States, Ukraine, and Russia will take place February 17–18 in Geneva.
Kremlin first reported this, which was confirmed by the adviser to the President of Ukraine, Dmytro Lytvyn.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov said that during the trilateral talks Ukrainian side plans to raise the issue of the energy ceasefire.
On February 15, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported consultations ahead of the Geneva meeting with envoys of the team of US President Donald Trump — Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
The Ukrainian delegation has already departed for Switzerland.
In Geneva, Ukraine will be represented by virtually the same delegation as during previous talks in Abu Dhabi. It will again include the head of the Presidential Office, Kyrylo Budanov.
The Russian delegation will include at least 15 people. In particular, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin will take part in talks, and the delegation will be headed by Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky.
