Russia’s war against Ukraine cannot be resolved in one round of negotiations, Turkish expert says

This assessment was expressed by Janfer Balchik, an expert on international relations, retired colonel, analyst, researcher, and author of the first book in Turkish on Russia's war against Ukraine, in a comment to a Ukrinform correspondent.

“The negotiations failed to achieve the expected result regarding the cessation of hostilities and a ceasefire. If you ask what the latest negotiations have achieved, they have ensured that the ‘door to dialogue’ remains open. It would not have been very rational to expect that a chronic problem could be solved by an agreement in a short period of time,” Balchik noted.

The expert noted that at the latest talks in Geneva, the parties demonstrated their positions on the terms of a possible peace agreement.

"Many issues may be considered in further negotiations. Detailed work will begin later. After that, the parties will sit down and discuss the terms of the peace agreement... A comprehensive political settlement will require long-term diplomatic efforts, and there is always a risk that negotiations may drag on and even reach an impasse," Balchik stressed.

He stressed the need to provide comprehensive and multi-vector support to Ukraine, which will strengthen its position in the negotiations.

As reported by Ukrinform, following the negotiations in Geneva on February 17-18, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the next round of peace talks should take place within 10 days in Geneva. On February 26, NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov will discuss with US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner a recovery package for Ukraine, preparations for the upcoming trilateral meeting, and details of the exchange of prisoners of war.

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