The President of Ukraine also noted that a personal meeting with Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, could be the key to resolving disputes over territorial issues. He instructed his team to establish the necessary contacts to prepare for such an event.
According to sources, American mediators proposed that Ukrainian troops could withdraw their forces from the controlled areas of Donbas, while this territory would receive the status of a demilitarized "free economic zone." However, Washington has not yet determined which state will have sovereignty over this zone.
Zelensky expressed readiness to discuss the withdrawal of troops but called on Moscow to pull back its forces to a similar distance and rejected Russia's claims to sovereignty over this territory.
Additionally, he reported that during the second round of negotiations, the Russian side promised to consult with the leadership in Moscow and provide a more detailed position on issues related to the territory.
On February 17, the delegations of Ukraine, the USA, and Russia completed the first day of discussions in Geneva, covering both political and military aspects. The negotiating groups will continue their work on the morning of February 18, and statements from the parties are expected afterward.
