The third round of trilateral negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States has officially commenced in Geneva, Switzerland, as the parties seek to advance diplomatic efforts toward a potential ceasefire.
The talks come just one week ahead of the fourth anniversary of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which continues to see active military conflict across multiple fronts.
The Russian delegation is led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, marking a shift from previous rounds held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, which were led by senior military officials. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the negotiations will address a “broader range of issues, including key territorial questions.”
The Ukrainian delegation is headed by Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, and includes senior political and security officials. Umerov confirmed on Telegram that the talks follow a clear framework agreed upon by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, focusing on both security and humanitarian issues.
Ukrainian officials are expected to push for an energy ceasefire and clarify how a monitoring mechanism would operate if such an agreement is reached. Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy warned ahead of the talks that Russia might be preparing another “large-scale offensive,” emphasizing that military pressure has not eased despite the resumption of negotiations.
Peskov noted that the discussions will take place behind closed doors, and no immediate public statements are expected. Analysts view this round as a critical step to stabilize the conflict ahead of its fourth anniversary, though tensions remain high on the ground.
