By Elena Teslova
MOSCOW (AA) - Russia and Ukraine are expected to continue US-mediated peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland, on Feb. 17-18, with both sides confirming that their delegations are en route and preparatory consultations are underway.
Officials say separate bilateral meetings with US representatives are also planned alongside the main negotiation track.
The Geneva round is viewed as a critical test of whether US-led shuttle diplomacy can move the process beyond humanitarian exchanges toward a broader ceasefire framework. Previous rounds produced prisoner swaps with no political breakthrough.
With Washington increasing diplomatic pressure and signaling possible security arrangements tied to concessions, the talks may define the next phase of the conflict’s diplomatic track and shape expectations for spring military and political developments.
- Ukrainian delegation and position
Head of Ukraine's Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov said on Monday that the delegation has already departed for Geneva.
In a statement on Telegram, Budanov emphasized that the Ukrainian delegation plans to analyze "the lessons of history" and focus on defending the country's interests.
According to Ukrainian officials, the country's delegation for the Geneva talks is led by Rustem Umerov, the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.
The full composition, approved by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, includes Budanov, Chief of the General Staff Andriy Hnatov, head of the ruling Servant of the People party parliamentary faction David Arakhamia, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya, and Deputy Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate Vadym Skibitsky.
Ahead of the meeting, Zelenskyy said the US has urged Ukraine to abandon territorial claims to areas captured by Russia, promising security guarantees in return. He argued that security guarantees should come first.
Commenting on territorial disputes, Zelenskyy noted: "Just because we are willing to compromise does not mean that we will give up our territories."
- Russian delegation and stated goals
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said the Russian delegation will depart for Geneva tonight.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a press briefing in Moscow that the topics of the talks with Ukraine will include territorial issues and, more broadly, "a broader range of topics," whereas previous talks in Abu Dhabi concentrated on security issues.
According to Peskov, the Russian delegation will include presidential advisor Vladimir Medinsky, who will lead the group, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, and Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate Igor Kostyukov. Special envoy Kirill Dmitriev will also take part in the Geneva negotiations, working separately within an economic cooperation group with the US, Peskov added.
Russian media, citing sources, has reported that Russia's delegation will comprise around 15-20 people.
Peskov declined to elaborate on the Russian side's negotiating position, noting that President Vladimir Putin had briefed the delegation before the talks.
- US role
Both delegations plan to hold bilateral discussions with US representatives.
Russian media, citing diplomatic sources, claimed the US side has encouraged Swiss authorities to ensure timely visa issuance and provide safe air passage for Moscow's representatives.
The US is acting as the principal mediator, primarily through special envoy Steve Witkoff, who has led recent rounds of shuttle diplomacy and publicly confirmed earlier prisoner-exchange agreements.
US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner is also expected to play a key advisory and diplomatic role around the talks.
- Venues
The talks are being held in Geneva, a traditional venue for high-stakes international negotiations due to Switzerland’s neutrality, diplomatic infrastructure, and security guarantees for delegations.
Both Russian and Ukrainian media have named the Hotel InterContinental in Geneva as the venue for the talks, though this has not been formally confirmed.
Last year, Moscow and Kyiv held three rounds of talks in Istanbul that resulted in humanitarian arrangements, including major prisoner exchanges and the repatriation of fallen soldiers’ remains.
This year, two US-mediated rounds in Abu Dhabi in late January and early February led to agreements on additional prisoner swaps, with US mediation confirming an exchange involving more than 300 prisoners.