Zelenskyy on Geneva talks: We cannot say result is sufficient, we count on next meeting
The issues of possible compromises and the necessary meeting of leaders were not sufficiently worked through during the Ukrainian‑U.S.‑Russian negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine, which took place on February 17 and 18 in Geneva (Switzerland), President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, expressing hope that the next meeting will take place later this month, before the end of February.
"Today we spoke in detail several times with our team at the negotiations in Geneva. It was the second day of meetings – both in the trilateral format and in other formats. Ukraine is interested in results. As of today, we cannot say that the result is sufficient. The military discussed part of the issues – seriously and substantively. Sensitive political issues, questions of possible compromises and the necessary meeting of leaders have not yet been sufficiently worked through. We are counting on the next meeting, and it would be right for it to take place already in February," Zelenskyy said in his evening video address on Wednesday.
He stressed the importance of the presence of representatives of European countries at the talks – France, the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy – as well as Switzerland as the host country. "We in Ukraine have always promoted the position that Europe must be a participant in the process," the president said, thanking the U.S. side "for hearing this position."
"I also instructed the delegation to discuss the humanitarian track, we need exchanges of prisoners of war, the release of civilians. We search for information on every person and always work to bring our people back, to bring Ukrainians home. Every exchange matters. I am also grateful to our soldiers on the front line who are conducting active operations and replenishing the exchange fund for us, for Ukraine. And it is precisely the courage of our soldiers that ensures all of this: both humanitarian results and, overall, our ability to engage in diplomacy, our strong diplomatic positions," Zelenskyy said.
The president also stressed the importance of everyone in Ukraine working "so that Ukraine withstands, defends itself and achieves a just peace." "Any other politics in Ukraine right now is absolutely unnecessary. This is a time of war. A time to defend our state, to defend our people. Personal matters – later. Therefore, I want to thank everyone who defends Ukraine, Ukrainian interests as their own – in any position, in any job, in any role. Take care of Ukraine. Take care of the people," Zelenskyy added.
