New Round of Trilateral Negotiations Scheduled
A fresh round of talks involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia is set for February 17-18 in Geneva. The Russian delegation will be led by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to the head of state. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the meeting, stating its aim is to advance a settlement for Ukraine. These talks are part of a fragile diplomatic process that has seen limited progress since the full-scale invasion began.
Previous Meetings and Outcomes
Two prior meetings were held in Abu Dhabi. The first took place on January 23-24, followed by a second round on February 4-5, 2026. The latter session resulted in a significant prisoner exchange, with 157 individuals swapped on each side, marking a notable step in the conflict.
Vladimir Medinsky, who will head the Russian team, was born in Smila, Cherkasy Oblast. He served as Russia's Minister of Culture from 2012 to 2020 and has been an aide to the Russian president since January 2020. In 2023, Medinsky co-authored new history textbooks for 11th-grade students. He previously led the Russian delegation during negotiations in Belarus and Istanbul in 2022. Additionally, he heads the Russian Military Historical Society and was elected chairman of the Russian Writers' Union.
The upcoming Geneva round is a critical phase in the trilateral efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
Following the successful prisoner swap from the last meeting, the February 17-18 discussions are expected to focus on further steps to stabilize the situation. Given the complex geopolitical landscape, the outcome of these negotiations could significantly influence the future trajectory of relations between Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia.