Kyiv, Washington, and Moscow to debate fate of stolen Ukrainian nuclear plant

"At the next meeting of the groups, which President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy confirmed, energy specialists may also join the negotiations," the source stated.

The highly sensitive conversation will focus on who will ultimately manage ZNPP and under what legal or operational format. The diplomatic source stressed that tackling these complex issues will increasingly demand a direct meeting at the leadership level.

Nuclear standoff

Moscow continues to resist losing its grip on the stolen facility. Reuters previously reported that Russia outright rejected a U.S. proposal to transfer full control of the ZNPP to Washington as part of any potential peace agreement.

Gridlock in Geneva on Feb. 18

The latest round of trilateral talks concluded in Geneva on Feb. 18. President Zelenskyy described the negotiations as "difficult, yielding progress solely on military issues", such as establishing a U.S.-monitored ceasefire mechanism.

Axios reported that the negotiations hit a "dead end" due to the enemy's uncompromising stance. Conversely, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff claimed the meetings "led to substantial progress."

Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov described the Geneva talks as difficult but essential, announcing that new meetings will take place shortly. Meanwhile, the head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, characterized the discussions as "complex but businesslike."