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Progress was made on a ceasefire mechanism during trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia in Geneva, reports CNN.
Military officials achieved “gradual but significant progress” in determining how a ceasefire would function, a source familiar with the talks said. The source added that political negotiations remained “tense,” while the military track gave officials cautious optimism.
According to CNN, the military discussions were overseen by representatives of Donald Trump — Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — and led by U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and General Alexus Grynkewich, commander of U.S. European Command.
One of the main goals of the military negotiating teams was to secure agreement on key terms that would later be used in political talks, including practical conditions for a ceasefire and what would constitute violations. The source said progress had been made, though political leaders must still give final approval.
Another meeting is expected within the coming weeks.
The latest round of talks took place on February 17–18. Ahead of the meeting, Kyiv said it planned to discuss how a monitoring mission would operate in the event of a ceasefire, as well as raise the issue of an energy truce.
Afterward, head of Ukraine’s delegation Kyrylo Budanov said the discussion was “difficult but important.” Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry later announced that Kyiv and Moscow had agreed to hold another round of negotiations, which was confirmed by Russia’s chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with Piers Morgan that the fourth round would again be held in Switzerland and that he hopes it will take place before the end of February. He also wrote on social media that negotiations could already be at the final stage, but Moscow is trying to delay the process.
