Ukrainian official reveals next stage of talks with Russia
Photo: Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov (Getty Images)
During the negotiations between Ukraine, the US, and Russia in Geneva, some issues were clarified. The next step is to achieve the necessary level of agreement to submit the developed decisions for consideration by the Presidents, according to the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, and the head of the Ukrainian delegation, Rustem Umerov.
Read also: Zelenskyy shares update on Geneva talks progress
The delegation included political and military representatives. They discussed security parameters and mechanisms for implementing possible decisions. Some issues were clarified, while others are still being agreed upon.
"We are focused on working through the key provisions required to finalize the process. This is complex work that requires alignment of all parties and sufficient time. There is progress, but no details can be disclosed at this stage," Umerov says.
He notes that the next stage is to achieve the necessary level of agreement to submit the developed decisions to the presidents for consideration.
"Our task is to prepare practical not merely formal foundation for this. Ukraine remains constructive, the ultimate objective is unchanged - a just and sustainable peace," the National Security and Defense Council Secretary stresses.
Negotiations in Geneva
Today, February 18, the second day of negotiations between Ukraine, the US, and Russia took place in Geneva.
The Russian delegation is headed by Putin's aide Vladimir Medinsky. It also includes GRU chief Igor Kostyukov, who represented Russia at the negotiations in the UAE. According to media reports, the Russian delegation consists of more than 15 people.
Ukraine is represented by NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov, Head of the President's Office Kyrylo Budanov, and other members of the delegation.
The American side is represented by Jared Kushner, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll.
Earlier, the Kremlin announced that the agenda in Geneva would be broader and include territorial issues, while Ukraine sought progress on an energy truce and humanitarian agreements.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during the two-day talks in Geneva, the delegations of Ukraine, Russia, and the United States made significant progress on the military track, but discussions on political issues were difficult.
Zelenskyy also said that the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Geneva could already be entering the final stage, but Russia was trying to drag them out.
Read the RBC-Ukraine report on the second day of negotiations in Geneva and how the first meeting ended.
