Ukraine to Attend Geneva Talks Amid Rising Military Tensions with Russia

Three nations are set to meet for a third round of trilateral negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and the US will convene in Geneva, Switzerland, following two previous rounds of talks held in the United Arab Emirates.

Ukrainian officials departed for Geneva on Monday, where they will engage in discussions with their Russian counterparts. Ukrainian Chief of Staff Kyrylo Budanov stated that the delegation would discuss historical lessons and seek conclusions during their journey to Geneva.

The Geneva talks follow two previous rounds of negotiations brokered by the US. Both rounds were described as constructive by Russia and Ukraine, but no breakthrough was achieved. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed hope for a “serious, substantive” meeting in Geneva, stating that he wished for the discussions to be “helpful for all parties involved.”

Key issues at stake include the long-term fate of eastern Ukraine, which has been occupied by Russia since 2022. Moscow is demanding that Kyiv withdraw its troops from the Donbas region, including heavily fortified cities with significant natural resources, as a condition for any deal. Russia also seeks international recognition for the land it has unilaterally annexed in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine has rejected this proposal, instead advocating for a ceasefire along the current front lines and solid security guarantees against future Russian attacks. Ukrainian officials are also seeking to address concerns about the implementation of a ceasefire mechanism.

Meanwhile, both sides have been ramping up military pressure ahead of further negotiations. On Sunday, Kyiv launched a large-scale drone attack on energy infrastructure in western Russia, which was met with a response from Russian forces that destroyed over 220 drones.

Source: Al Jazeera