Zelenskyy’s request: New details on Europe’s presence at Geneva talks

Read also: Geneva talks: Key details on Ukraine-US-Russia meeting

The source said that representatives of European countries joined the talks at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"The president discussed this with the Americans so that Europe would be represented," the outlet's interlocutor said.

They added that today the Ukrainian delegation will continue talks with the Europeans, after which they will report to Zelenskyy on all the negotiations.

What preceded

The La Repubblica outlet reported that Italy, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom sent their representatives to the third round of trilateral talks in Geneva.

According to the outlet, officials from the four countries are "monitoring" the latest round of peace negotiations.

EU participation in the talks

Earlier, leaders of European countries repeatedly stated that the EU should have a seat at the negotiating table between Ukraine, Russia, and the USA.

In particular, French President Emmanuel Macron said that peace could not be achieved without EU involvement in the negotiation process. He also noted that Europe needs to restore diplomatic contacts with Russia.

Additionally, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that European countries deserve a seat at the negotiating table, as they finance arms purchases for Ukraine and also provide financial assistance.

RBC-Ukraine previously reported that the third round of talks between Ukraine and Russia, mediated by the USA, is taking place in Geneva on February 17–18.

Rustem Umerov announced the start of the meeting at 2:55 p.m. He also shared corresponding photos and noted that the Ukrainian delegation is working constructively, focused, and "without unnecessary expectations."