Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks Set for Geneva Next Week Amidst Shifting Delegations

Geneva to Host Third Round of Trilateral Talks

A new round of US-brokered peace talks between the Russian Federation and Ukraine is slated to commence next week in Geneva, Switzerland. The discussions are scheduled for February 17-18, 2026, marking the third such trilateral meeting involving the United States. This development comes as both nations continue to engage in a conflict that began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, now approaching its fifth year.

The Kremlin confirmed its delegation's participation, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov announcing the dates and location. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's communications advisor, Dmytro Lytvyn, also verified the details, and Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov stated that Kyiv's delegation has begun preparations.

Key Delegations and Potential Policy Shifts

The Russian delegation will be led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. This marks a significant change from the previous two rounds held in Abu Dhabi, where Russia's head of military intelligence, Igor Kostyukov, was the chief representative. Medinsky has a history of leading Russian teams in earlier talks with Ukrainian officials in 2022 and last year in Belarus and Istanbul. Analysts suggest that Medinsky's appointment could signal a shift in Moscow's focus towards more political issues in the negotiations, moving beyond the ceasefire mechanisms and monitoring arrangements that saw limited progress previously.

The Ukrainian delegation will continue to be headed by Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council. His team is also expected to include Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the presidential office. The United States, acting as a broker, has seen President Donald Trump actively pushing for an end to the conflict. President Trump has urged Ukraine to 'get moving' to reach an agreement with Russia, warning that President Zelenskyy could miss a rare opportunity.

Previous Rounds and Sticking Points

The upcoming Geneva talks follow two earlier rounds of US-mediated discussions held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in January and early February. While neither side has expressed optimism for a comprehensive ceasefire agreement, these previous talks did yield some limited progress, including a temporary pause in attacks on energy infrastructure and the first prisoner exchange in five months.

Despite these small steps, significant disagreements persist, particularly concerning territorial issues. Moscow continues to demand sweeping territorial and political concessions from Ukraine, which Kyiv has consistently rejected as tantamount to capitulation. The move to Geneva for this round of talks is notable, as it will be the first session on European soil within this trilateral format.