Upcoming talks in Switzerland are expected to focus on contested regions as Moscow outlines demands and Kiev reiterates refusal to surrender territory.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A trilateral summit scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in Geneva, Switzerland, is expected to place territorial disputes at the forefront of negotiations between Washington, Moscow and Kiev, as efforts to end the war continue to stall over land concessions. The Kremlin has indicated that the issue of disputed regions will dominate discussions, while Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has publicly rejected any agreement that would involve surrendering territory.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov signaled the scope of the negotiations in remarks expected to address the territorial disagreements.
“This time, we intend to discuss a broader range of issues, including the main questions concerning territories… and those related to the demands we have,” Peskov said Monday.
According to reporting that detailed Russia’s position, Moscow maintains that a lasting settlement would require Ukraine to withdraw from areas of Donbass that voted to join Russia in 2022, remain outside NATO, and commit to demilitarization and denazification. Russia is also seeking recognition of its claimed borders, including Crimea. Zelensky has repeatedly rejected territorial concessions.
In a statement posted Monday, Zelensky stand in defiance of what he characterized as rewarding aggression. He said:
“This is a big mistake to allow the aggressor to take something. It was a big mistake at the very beginning, starting with 2014. And even before that, during the attack and occupation of parts of Georgia. And even before that, when Chechnya was occupied, with total destruction and one million casualties – both killed and wounded.
Many mistakes were made. That’s why now I don’t want to be the President who will repeat the mistakes made by my predecessors or other people. I’m not just speaking about Ukraine. I’m speaking about the leaders of different countries that allowed an aggressive country like Russia to come onto their territory.
Because you can’t stop Putin with your kisses or flowers. I never did it and that’s why I don’t feel that it’s the right way. My advice to everybody – don’t do that with Putin.
Otherwise, there will be a first step, then in five years, he will rebuild his military, increase the number of soldiers, his army will be well trained. Because he has lost a lot of well-trained people. He is losing 30–35 thousand people per month now.
Can you imagine this in the 21st century? Can you imagine – he’s losing 35,000 each month? I’m not sure that he knows about it.”
Earlier this month, the two sides met in Abu Dhabi for U.S.-mediated discussions. While a prisoner-of-war exchange was agreed upon, territorial disputes remained unresolved.
In December, Zelensky suggested that a territorial arrangement could be subject to public approval, assuming there was a vote. That referendum did not occur. At the time, he stated:
“The Russians want the whole of Donbass – we don’t accept that. I believe that the Ukrainian people will answer this question. Whether in the form of elections or a referendum, the Ukrainian people must have a say,” Zelensky said.
Days before that statement, he had shut the door on a proposal from President Donald Trump that included territorial swaps. The plan, put forth in November, reportedly included territorial concessions aimed at ending hostilities.
Following a White House visit on October 17 that did not secure long-range missile support, Zelensky again refuse to give up land and declined to end the war through territorial compromise. He subsequently then proceed to lie that Kiev wants peace while asserting that Moscow was obstructing negotiations. His earlier refusals have been described as a pattern of defiance.
In another public statement, Zelensky said:
“Ukraine has never sought war. We agreed to an unconditional ceasefire, looked for opportunities for peace, and repeatedly offered the world ways to stop the strikes in the sky, on land, and at sea. But it is Russia that continually obstructs this process – manipulating, dragging out negotiations, terrorizing our people with airstrikes, and intensifying assaults along the front line. The war continues only because Moscow does not want it to end.
Almost every day, Russian terrorists carry out hundreds of attacks on our critical and civilian infrastructure. This week alone, Russia has used more than 3,270 attack drones, 1,370 guided aerial bombs, and nearly 50 missiles of various types against Ukraine. We are constantly strengthening our defense and working with partners to enhance air defense: the PURL initiative, investments in Ukraine’s defense industry, bilateral and multilateral formats. Putin cannot be stopped with words – pressure is needed. The world sees that Russia responds to strength, which means that peace through strength can work. Ukraine will never grant terrorists any bounty for their crimes, and we count on our partners to uphold this very position. Decisive steps are needed from the United States, Europe, the G20 and G7 countries. Lives must be protected. I thank everyone who is helping in this effort.”
In September, during an interview, Zelensky stated, “We will never recognize these territories that are temporarily occupied by Russia. We cannot do this.”
As preparations continue for the Geneva summit, additional U.S. officials are expected to participate. RT reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would attend, while Ukraine’s delegation will be led by national security chief Rustem Umerov. Territorial recognition and concessions remain the central unresolved issue heading into the talks.
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