Zelensky hears report on Geneva talks: Priorities for next meeting defined

President Volodymyr Zelensky expects the next round of trilateral negotiations to take place in February and believes it could be productive.

Zelensky stated this on Facebook following a report from Ukraine's negotiating team, Ukrinform reports.

"Our negotiating team delivered a detailed report following their meetings in Switzerland. In particular, we discussed aspects that could not be addressed over the phone. I'm grateful to the team for their precise work within the directives, and also for their patience in all conversations with the Russian side – which have not always been easy or reasonable. It is important that envoys of the U.S. President are also doing everything possible to keep the negotiations constructive, and Ukraine fully supports them in this – our contribution is always focused solely on constructive engagement," Zelensky said.

In his view, real opportunities to end the war with dignity remain, and the world's ability to put pressure on the aggressor could significantly help ensure that a reliable peace replaces war.

"We count on another round of negotiations being organized very soon, as early as this February, and on that round becoming truly productive," he emphasized.

He noted that Ukraine's answers to the most difficult issues ahead of the next meeting are already prepared. According to Zelensky, priorities for the negotiating team for the next trilateral meeting and for talks with the United States have been defined.

"We continue working to ensure readiness for leaders to meet and resolve issues that cannot yet be settled at the team level. It is the leaders' format that could prove decisive in many respects, and Ukraine is ready for such a format. The team must also secure conditions for progress on humanitarian issues – POW exchanges must continue. We expect that an exchange will be possible very soon," he said.

He also separately highlighted the role of European partners, stating that Europe's role in the negotiation process should grow.

As previously reported, following negotiations in Geneva, Zelensky said that there had been progress on military issues, particularly monitoring a ceasefire, while on political matters – territories, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and other sensitive issues – the parties' positions remain different.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine