Talks with Russia are futile without one key condition – Volodymyr Ohryzko
The Russian delegation leaves the InterContinental Hotel after the conclusion of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, mediated by the United States (Photo: REUTERS/Pierre Albouy)
The only real prerequisite for meaningful negotiations differs from the two days of talks held in Geneva, said Volodymyr Ohryzko, head of the Center for Russia Studies, speaking on Radio NV on Feb. 18.
“In fact, there is only one way out. It is the destruction of Russia’s economic and military infrastructure and making it impossible for Russia to continue the war. Only after that can any negotiations be possible. Until then, we will be dancing with tambourines,” Ohryzko said.
The second day of trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the United States ended on Feb. 18 in Geneva. The talks lasted two hours.
They were longer on the first day.
Overall, a decision was reached on monitoring a ceasefire in Ukraine, which would take place with the participation of the United States, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Earlier, Zelenskyy also said that the appointment of Vladimir Medinsky as head of the Russian delegation creates a risk of dragging out the talks in Geneva. “We don’t have time for all this bullshit,” he said.
U.S. President’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said there had been “significant progress” after the end of the first day of talks.
At the same time, Axios journalist Barak Ravid, citing two diplomats, wrote that the talks in Geneva had reached a dead end because of Medinsky’s position.
National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov said the discussions during the talks focused on practical issues and the mechanics of possible solutions.
Umerov also held a separate meeting in Geneva with representatives of the United States and European partners — France, Britain, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. He said the sides discussed the results of the first round and synchronized approaches on next steps.
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