“There was less constructive discussion; in the political subgroup there are again sensitive questions about eastern Ukraine: Donbas, territorial questions,” Zelenskyy told reporters after a meeting with the negotiating team.
“So far, no constructive progress is to be found. The fact is that no one sees any positives on territorial questions, and we must admit it.”
The Feb. 17–18 talks, judging by previous comments from Ukrainian
and U.S. officials, once again focused on secondary issues, such as the details of a
potential post-war ceasefire and its enforcement. Axios reported the talks “hit
a dead end” because Moscow insists on Ukraine withdrawing from the remainder of
Donetsk Oblast, which would leave central Ukraine largely defenseless against
further Russian aggression.