The latest round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia will take place on February 17 and 18 in Geneva, Switzerland, as confirmed by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. These talks come in the wake of previous meetings in Abu Dhabi, which, although labeled constructive by both parties, failed to produce significant progress or compromises, particularly concerning territorial issues arising from the ongoing conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated earlier in the week that he anticipated a new set of discussions to occur with Russia, although Moscow had not officially confirmed its participation until Peskov's announcement. Notably, this upcoming round will see a leadership change in the Russian delegation; instead of Igor Kostyukov, head of the military intelligence service (GRU), the talks will be led by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who previously led the Russian delegation in unsuccessful bilateral negotiations held in Istanbul last spring.

The shift in delegation leadership and the continuation of peace talks highlight an ongoing pursuit for a resolution to a conflict that has deepened over the past years. The lack of a breakthrough in previous discussions raises questions about the likelihood of substantial progress this time around, especially considering the complex issues surrounding territorial disputes that remain a sticking point between the two nations.