The third round of US-mediated negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations took place in Geneva, just one week before the anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. As long as Russia insists on claiming Ukrainian territory, there are few expectations for major progress.
Ukraine continues to experience nightly strikes
Russia launched a heavy attack on Ukraine. It used nearly 400 drones, and 30 missiles to strike 12 areas. More than 10 railway and residential facilities and at least 3 people died as a result of the attacks. Artem Nekrasov, the Ukrainian deputy energy minister, reported that three workers in the energy sector had died near Slovyansk. Volodymyr Zelensky, the president, added that there were nine injuries, among them children.
Strikes have damaged Ukraine’s electricity grid severely, leaving thousands of people without power in major cities such as Odesa. DTEK, Ukraine’s largest energy company, has warned that the restoration of the infrastructure is going to take a long time. Energy crisis has worsened due to the ongoing attacks, particularly during winter’s subzero temperatures.
Ukraine strikes back
Overnight, Ukraine launched retaliatory strikes on Russia. After a drone attack, a fire started at the Ilsky Oil Refinery in Krasnodar. Ukraine targeted Belgorod with drones, damaging the power infrastructure.
Geneva Talks: low expectations
Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s chief negotiator shared a picture of the Geneva delegations. Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and Kyrylo Budanov are the mediators, while Umerov, Kyrylo Budanov and President Zelensky’s chief of staff Kyrylo Budanov represent Kyiv. Vladimir Medinsky, aide to President Vladimir Putin and officials from military intelligence make up the Russian team.
The Kremlin’s Dmitry Peskov warned that there would be no immediate result, but the talks will continue Wednesday. Former President Donald Trump, speaking from Air Force One urged Ukraine’s leaders to quickly negotiate.
Standoff Territorial
Russia occupies approximately 20% of Ukraine. This includes large parts of the Donbas region. Ukraine refused to give up the remaining 20% of Ukraine, as demanded by Moscow. Kyiv demands that Western countries provide strong security guarantees before any agreement can be considered.
