![\"Vladimir](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/large.jpeg\")
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Vladimir Medinsky, Russia\u2019s chief negotiator, leaves the Intercontinental Hotel in Geneva, Switzerland, 18 February 2026. Photo: EPA \/ Martial Trezzini<\/p>\n
The second day of trilateral peace talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US in Geneva ended early on Wednesday afternoon without any significant breakthrough, according<\/a> to independent news agency Interfax Ukraine. <\/p>\n Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraine\u2019s National Security Council, led Kyiv\u2019s negotiating team, facing off against senior Kremlin adviser Vladimir Medinsky, whose selection to lead the Russian delegation for this round of talks was seen by some as a delaying tactic. <\/p>\n While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the political component of the talks had been somewhat productive, he added that there had been little progress on military matters, citing significant differences of opinion that some sources have blamed<\/a> on Medinsky. <\/p>\n \u201cYesterday\u2019s meetings were indeed difficult, and we can state that Russia is trying to drag out negotiations that could already have reached the final stage,\u201d Zelensky wrote<\/a> on X.<\/p>\n Having left the InterContinental Hotel in Geneva after the talks officially ended on Wednesday, Medinsky returned to the venue and spoke with the Ukrainian delegation for a further hour and a half, according<\/a> to BBC News Russian. When subsequently asked for comment, Medinsky said that the talks had been \u201cdifficult, but business-like\u201d.<\/p>\n