Zelenskyy on negotiations: We can't say the outcome is sufficient

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the political issues surrounding possible compromises and the essential meeting between the two leaders were not sufficiently worked through at the trilateral Ukraine-US-Russia negotiations on ending the war.

Source: Zelenskyy in his evening address

Quote: "Today we had several detailed discussions with our negotiating team in Geneva. It was the second day of meetings: a trilateral format and other formats as well. Ukraine is determined to achieve results.

As of today, we cannot say that the outcome is sufficient. The military representatives discussed certain issues seriously and substantively. However, sensitive political matters, issues of possible compromises, and the necessary meeting of leaders have not yet been sufficiently worked through."

Details: Zelenskyy said Ukraine anticipates that the next meeting will be in February.

He also noted that the presence of European representatives – from France, the UK, Germany, Italy and Switzerland – had been important.

Quote: "I also tasked our delegation with discussing the humanitarian track – we need POW exchanges and the release of civilians. We track information on every person and work constantly to bring our people back – bring Ukrainians home. Every exchange matters.

I am also grateful to our warriors on the front line, who carry out active operations and replenish the exchange pool for us, for Ukraine. And it is the courage of our warriors that ensures all this – the humanitarian results and, overall, our diplomatic capacity, our strong diplomatic positions."

Background:

• On the morning of 18 February, Rustem Umierov, head of the Ukrainian delegation and Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, reported that the second day of trilateral talks on the settlement of Russia's war against Ukraine had begun in Geneva.
• Later, the head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, announced that the latest round of talks had concluded. Medinsky said the negotiations lasted about two hours and were "tough but business-like".
• Zelenskyy reported that it was agreed at the talks that the US will be involved in monitoring compliance with a ceasefire.

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