By Ginika Igboke
Donald Trump on Feb. 16 called on Kyiv to move swiftly toward a deal with Moscow, just days before a new round of trilateral negotiations scheduled to take place in Geneva. The talks are aimed at finding a pathway to end the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while traveling to Washington, Trump emphasized urgency, saying Ukraine should come to the negotiating table without delay. His remarks come as American, Ukrainian, and Russian representatives prepare for a third round of discussions on Feb. 17.
Territorial Disputes Remain Central Obstacle
The issue of territory continues to be the most contentious sticking point in the negotiations. Russia has demanded that Ukraine formally recognize territorial losses as part of any peace agreement.
Russia first seized control of Crimea in 2014. Following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian forces have captured additional territory. At present, Moscow controls roughly 20 percent of Ukraine’s pre-2014 land area.
In eastern Ukraine, Russian forces hold most of the Donetsk region but are seeking formal recognition of additional portions of the province they have not fully captured. Kyiv has rejected those demands, maintaining that it will not surrender sovereign territory under pressure.
Zelenskyy Calls for Security Guarantees
Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded on Feb. 16 by reiterating Ukraine’s position that any agreement must include binding security guarantees, ideally backed by the U.S. Congress, before a final settlement is signed.
Zelenskyy suggested that Washington was preparing such guarantees but indicated there had been discussion of a potential “swap of territories” prior to formalizing them. He stressed that Ukraine would not agree to concessions that could allow Russia to regroup and launch future offensives.
He emphasized that Kyiv is open to compromise but not at the expense of long-term security or sovereignty. In earlier remarks on Feb. 14, Zelenskyy expressed hope that the upcoming trilateral meetings would be serious and substantive, while acknowledging that at times it has felt as though the parties were speaking past one another.
Russia Signals Broader Agenda for Talks
The Kremlin has indicated that the Geneva discussions will cover a broader range of issues than previous rounds, including talks previously held in Abu Dhabi.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Russian delegation intends to focus on key territorial matters and other core demands. He noted that the presence of Russia’s chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, underscores the importance Moscow places on this round of talks.
Peskov also indicated that no immediate updates would be released while negotiations are ongoing, stating that discussions are expected to continue beyond the first day without public comment.
Delegations From All Sides Gather in Switzerland
The Russian delegation will be led by Medinsky and will include Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin and Igor Kostyukov, head of Russia’s Main Directorate of the General Staff.
Ukraine’s team will be headed by Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council. He will be joined by Kyrylo Budanov, chief of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, and Sergiy Kyslytsya, a senior adviser to Zelenskyy.
The United States has not formally announced its delegation for the Geneva meetings. However, previous discussions were attended by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Additional Diplomatic Engagements Expected
While in Switzerland, U.S. officials are also expected to engage in separate discussions with Iranian representatives regarding Tehran’s nuclear program, making the trip a significant diplomatic undertaking for Washington.
The outcome of the Geneva negotiations could prove pivotal in determining whether momentum builds toward a ceasefire or whether the conflict remains deadlocked over territorial and security disputes.
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