Russia Shuts Door on European Participation in Geneva Ukraine Talks
"No, it's only a trilateral format, meaning Russia, America, and Ukraine. There won't be any Europeans there," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Friday, categorically rejecting involvement from the EU or international organizations.
The Feb. 17-18 Switzerland meeting represents the third round of U.S.-brokered diplomacy following January discussions in Abu Dhabi that produced the first prisoner swap in five months. Presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky will head Russia's negotiating team, Peskov confirmed.
The Kremlin spokesman had earlier announced the talks would occur "next week," without elaborating on specifics. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy subsequently disclosed the exact dates in Wednesday remarks to a news agency.
US officials have not responded to Peskov's characterization of the negotiating framework, though Zelenskyy's communications advisor Dmytro Lytvyn corroborated the timing and venue to Ukrainian media.
Rustem Umerov, Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, announced via Facebook that Kyiv's delegation has commenced preparations. He will lead a team including presidential office head Kyrylo Budanov and Chief of General Staff Andrii Hnatov—assembled "taking into account the military, political, and security components of the process."
"We will work on substantive decisions within the framework defined by the head of state. The goal remains unchanged – a sustainable and lasting peace. We are preparing for serious and responsible work," Umerov stated.
Economic Overtures Contingent on Ukraine Resolution
Peskov addressed separate reporting by the news agency on Russian proposals for expanded economic partnership with Washington, confirming mutual corporate interest but cautioning that substantive progress remains contingent on resolving the Ukraine conflict.
The news agency reported Thursday that a high-level Russian memo outlined convergence opportunities in natural gas and critical raw materials, centering on Moscow's reintegration into dollar-based settlement systems.
Peskov disputed characterizations that Russia abandoned dollar usage: "It's the issuing country, the US, that has restricted the use of the dollar by a number of countries."
"If the dollar is attractive, then, of course, everyone will return to using it, including alongside other currencies," he added, noting the currency must compete with emerging alternatives.
On President Donald Trump's Board of Peace initiative—signed by 19 nations January 22 in Davos, Switzerland—Peskov said Russia has not finalized its position. Moscow will not participate in the Feb. 19 Washington leaders' summit, he confirmed earlier this week.
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