Ukraine's foreign minister reacts sarcastically to Medinsky in Russian delegation
Photo: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
It is unclear what the return of an aide to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Vladimir Medinsky, to the Russian delegation actually means. Perhaps another round of lectures on Russian pseudo-history, stated Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha during a press briefing on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
Sybiha noted that it is currently difficult to comment on Medinsky’s participation in the negotiation process. However, everyone remembers the previous experience with this figure.
"We’ll see. I will be able to comment after the meeting on what the arrival of the person you mentioned actually means. But we remember very well. Previous experience shows that, as always, there will be some pseudo-historical lectures. Ukraine does not need this," the minister said.
Sybiha added that no one will dictate to Ukraine its history, hinting that Medinsky will not be taken seriously in the negotiations. According to the minister, Ukraine is focused on concrete results, and so far, after two rounds in Abu Dhabi, progress seems evident.
Next round of negotiations: what is known
On the morning of February 13, Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov announced that the next round of trilateral talks will take place on February 17–18. This time, Geneva was chosen as the venue.
It was also reported that Putin will send at least 15 people to the talks with Ukraine. One of them is Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, known as a stubborn "hawk" and opponent of Ukraine. Another figure is Medinsky, who enjoys lying about Ukraine, even though he is originally from there.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already approved the composition of the delegation for talks with Russia. It will include Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov, Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov, and others.
