Russia Unveils Full Delegation for Peace Talks in Geneva
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Vladimir Medinsky, Moscow's chief negotiator on the Ukraine conflict and a presidential aide, will lead the Russian delegation — a departure from the two most recent trilateral rounds held in Abu Dhabi, where Admiral Igor Kostyukov, director of Russian military intelligence, headed the team in Medinsky's absence.
Peskov explained the earlier switch in leadership was a deliberate, agenda-driven decision. "The discussion centered on security issues, issues that directly affected the military. That is why Kostyukov led our group there," he told reporters on Monday.
With the Geneva talks — scheduled for February 17–18 — expected to cover far broader ground, Medinsky's return to the helm was deemed essential. "This time, we intend to discuss a broader range of issues, including the main questions concerning territories... and those related to the demands we have. The presence of the chief negotiator, Medinsky, will be necessary," Peskov said, emphasizing that Medinsky "remains" the official head of the Russian negotiating team.
Flanking Medinsky will be Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin and Kirill Dmitriev — President Putin's special envoy and head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund — who is operating on a distinct economic track. "Dmitriev is working on a separate track, a working group on economic cooperation. It continues to work actively, and we expect that these meetings within this group will also take place in Geneva," Peskov stated.
Peskov previously confirmed that no Western European nations will have representation at the Geneva table, and characterized the last trilateral session as "constructive but difficult."
Moscow's stated conditions for any lasting peace remain unchanged and deeply contentious: Kyiv must withdraw from territory it still controls in Donbas — regions that voted to join Russia in 2022 — renounce NATO membership, and commit to demilitarization and denazification. Russia is also demanding formal recognition of its claimed borders, including Crimea. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has consistently and categorically rejected any territorial concessions.
On the American side, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Friday that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — both absent from the previous round — will attend the Geneva talks. Ukraine's delegation will be led by national security chief Rustem Umerov.
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